Confectionery company Brookie Bakes has urgently recalled its Dubai Bar Pistachio & Knafeh product following a warning over undeclared peanuts.
The 68g chocolate bars across all batch codes and best-before dates are being withdrawn from sale.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) stated that the product “may contain peanuts which are not mentioned on the label,” presenting a serious health risk to those with peanut allergies.
The company has contacted allergy support organisations to alert their members about the recall.
Consumers who have purchased the product and suffer from a peanut allergy have been advised: “Do not eat it.”
This recall forms part of a wider investigation into Dubai-style chocolate products ahead of the festive season.
The food safety watchdog has discovered that numerous items in this viral confectionery category fail to meet British labelling standards.
Testing has revealed undeclared allergens, particularly peanuts and sesame, lurking in products without any warning on the packaging.
The recalled product may contain peanuts, which are not mentioned on the label (stock image)
|
GETTY
The FSA initially raised concerns earlier this year and continues to examine samples from items currently available to shoppers.
Until this review concludes, the agency’s guidance is unequivocal: anyone with any allergy should steer clear of Dubai-style chocolate entirely.
This warning carries particular weight as Christmas approaches and Britons prepare to stock their cupboards with festive treats.
Director of policy at the FSA, Rebecca Sudworth, warned: “Dubai-style chocolate has become hugely popular, but we’ve found that some products contain peanuts and sesame that aren’t declared on the label. For someone with allergies, this could be dangerous.”
The recall forms part of a wider investigation into Dubai-style chocolate
|
GETTYShe added: “With Christmas just around the corner, there is a risk that some products on sale may not meet our strict UK standards.”
The FSA’s advice extends beyond those with peanut or sesame sensitivities.
“People with an allergy should not eat Dubai-style chocolate. If you’re buying a gift for someone with allergies, our advice is to avoid these products. This includes all allergies, not just peanut and sesame,” Ms Sudworth stated.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has backed the FSA’s precautionary guidance, with the head of policy and campaigns, Jessica Merryfield, stating: “The legal requirements on this are clear: any food containing allergens needs to be clearly identified and labelled as such to allow consumers to make informed and safe choices.”
She emphasised that failing to properly label allergens is both unlawful and potentially fatal for those with food hypersensitivities.
Trading standards officers nationwide are collaborating with the FSA and businesses to ensure compliance.
For those who still wish to buy Dubai-style chocolate, the FSA recommends buying from established retailers and verifying that labels are in English with clearly highlighted allergens.
About allergy alerts
The FSA explained: “Sometimes there will be a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold. Then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).
“Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect, or if there is any other food allergy risk. When there is a food allergy risk, the FSA will issue an Allergy Alert.”