Attention all seasoning lovers, if you're fond of spicing up your meals, you need to check your cupboards. A recall has been issued for a popular range of Cape Herb and Spice products due to fears they could contain plastic pieces. These products are usually found on the shelves of major retailers such as Dunnes Stores, Tesco, and Supervalu, among others. Recently, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has released fresh recalls following alerts earlier this month.
On their website, the FSAI stated: "Further to FSAI food alert 2025.02, the below additional batches of Cape Herb and Spice products are being recalled due to the possible presence of plastic pieces. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores." The authority is also reaching out to retailers to act: "Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale. Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retail customers. Caterers should not use the implicated batches."
It is not just the retailers and suppliers who need to be vigilant; consumers must listen up too. "Consumers are advised not to use the implicated batches," the FSAI emphasized. The reason for such caution? Consuming even small amounts of plastic can cause health issues or, grimly, choking, especially if the pieces are large. The contamination is believed to occur during food processing or storage due to environmental pollutants.
This warning follows closely behind another recent alert from the FSAI concerning Marks and Spencer’s breaded chicken products, where several batches were recalled because of potential salmonella contamination. The FSAI made the following statement: "The below batches of Marks and Spencer Crispy Southern Fried Chicken Burger and 2 Chicken Kyivs are being recalled due to the possible presence of Salmonella. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale."
For those who may be unaware, salmonella is no small matter. The health authority noted, "People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have severe illness."
Given the current state of food safety, consumers are advised to stay informed and cautious. It’s important to always check the products on your pantry shelves, especially if they belong to the brands at the center of these recent recalls.
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