Urgent food recalls have been initiated across several major UK retailers due to growing health concerns, prompting consumers to check their kitchens for recalled products. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued warnings affecting popular stores including Greggs, Morrisons, Farmfoods, Lidl, TK Maxx, and Homesense. Customers are advised to carefully inspect their cupboards, fridges, and freezers for items identified by the FSA as potentially harmful.
Food product recalls can arise from various reasons, including undeclared ingredients, contamination, or packaging mistakes. For example, Greggs has announced the recall of its 2 pack Steak Bake due to the product containing sulphites, which were not declared on the packaging. This issue arose from some packs incorrectly containing Sausage, Bean, and Cheese Melts, which contain sulphites. The FSA warned anyone with sensitivities to sulphur dioxide or sulphites to avoid consuming this product. A spokesperson for the FSA noted, "If you have bought the above product and have a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites do not consume it. Instead, return it to your nearest Iceland store from where it was bought for a full refund." The affected Steak Bake has the following details: pack size of 280g and best before date of May 19, 2025.
Another significant recall involves Farmfoods' 50 Cocktail Sausage Rolls, which have been recalled because the pack contains cheese and onion rolls not labeled to indicate the presence of milk. This omission poses health risks for individuals with allergies or intolerances to milk. The FSA's guidance was clear, stating, "If you have bought the product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store it was bought from for a full refund." The product's pack size is 700g, with the batch code L4295 and best before date set for October 2025.
Lidl has also issued recalls for its Deluxe Sriracha Cheddar Cheese Wedge after Listeria monocytogenes was detected within the product. This potentially serious contamination can lead to symptoms similar to flu, which may escalate to severe complications for vulnerable groups. Customers have been urged not to consume the cheese, with FSA officials stating, "If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return the product to where it was bought for a full refund. Any customers with queries or concerns can contact Lidl NI Customer Services on 0289 568 4888." The recall applies to the 150g pack, which has the best before date of May 11, 2025.
The list of recalls extends to various herb and spice products due to potential contamination with plastic. For example, products from Cape Herb and Spice, such as Seasoned Salt, Extra Bold Peppercorns, and Himalayan Pink Salt, are all subject to recall with best before dates stretching from September 2026 to May 2027. The Food Standards Agency warned, "The possible presence of plastic makes these products unsafe to eat."
Additional Turkish Delight products sold at TK Maxx and Homesense are also being recalled due to undeclared milk ingredients, which poses health risks for those with milk allergies. Customers should return the following products for refunds: Sultans Chocolate Covered Lemon Turkish Delight, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkish Delight, and others, all with best before dates of September 25, 2026. The authority emphasized, "If you have bought the above products and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, do not eat them. Instead, return them to any TK Maxx or Homesense store for a refund or replacement."
Morrisons is recalling its Crushed Garlic (75g pack size) because of an omitted ingredient integral to preventing microbiological growth, which poses risks to consumers. A Morrisons representative commented, "Please do not eat this product and return it to your nearest store for a full refund. We don’t need a receipt. No other products or date codes are affected by this issue."
These recalls reflect the tight regulations surrounding food safety and the responsibility of food businesses to protect public health. The FSA collaborates with local authorities and the food industry to publish alerts whenever issues arise. Consumers are reminded to pay close attention to product recalls and to adhere to all FSA advisories to avoid potential health risks associated with contaminated or mislabeled food products.
By staying informed and vigilant, shoppers can minimize health risks and maintain their safety as they navigate their food purchases.