Turkish delight products sold at TK Maxx and Home Sense have been urgently recalled over fears they could be dangerous to those with severe dairy allergies.
Food safety watchdogs stuck a ‘do not eat’ alert on four batches of the sweet treat made by Sultans because they contain hidden traces of milk, which is not featured on the label.
The Turkish delight, manufactured by TJX Europe and sold for under £3, is also available to purchase online, but only batches sold at TK Maxx and Home Sense are affected by the alert.
It affects 250g packs of Sultans Chocolate Covered Lemon Turkish Delight, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkish Delight and Chocolate Covered Pistachio Turkish Delight, as well as a 225g pack of Sultan’s Covered Pistachio Turkish Delight.
These have batch codes of 760240, 760241, 760242 and 760246.
All have a best before date of September 25, 2026.
TJX Europe said: ‘If you purchased the product and are allergic to milk, please stop using it immediately and return to any TK Maxx or Homesense store.
‘We are offering a full refund or a replacement for all affected products.’
Food safety watchdogs stuck a ‘do not eat’ alert on four batches of the sweet treat made by Sultans
The Food Standards Agency, which issued the alert, also added: ‘Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products.
‘These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled.’
The FSA issues food recalls when problems are spotted with food that means it should not be sold.
People who cannot consume milk are either allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk or they cannot digest the sugar in the product, known as lactose intolerance.
Milk allergy symptoms can range from a rash, itching and swelling on the skin to vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea that starts within minutes of eating or drinking items that contain dairy.
However, those how suffer from delayed cow’s milk allergy may not have any symptoms until two days after exposure.
The Turkish delight, sold for under £3, is also available to purchase on online stores. But only batches sold at TK Maxx and Home Sense are affected by the alert
It affects 250g packs of Sultans Chocolate Covered Lemon Turkish Delight, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkish Delight and Chocolate Covered Pistachio Turkish Delight, as well as a 225g pack of Sultans Covered Pistachio Turkish Delight
In severe cases, it can cause anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening reaction when swelling in the throat can block the airways.
A milk allergy can be diagnosed by a person’s immediate reaction to milk, as well as skin, blood and breath tests.
Around three in 100 babies have a cow’s milk allergy but most grow out of it during their childhood.
Older children and adults who are allergic to cow’s milk tend to have a more serious allergy.