Dubai chocolate became the latest confectionery craze after achieving viral status on social media last year.
Dominating supermarket shelves across the UK, the snack got so popular that some major retailers even had to impose strict limits on how many shoppers could buy.
However, health officials are now warning that the nation’s favourite chocolate may not be safe to consume.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a precautionary warning advising people with allergies to avoid Dubai-style chocolate in the run-up to Christmas.
It turns out many of these trendy chocolate products don’t meet UK food safety and labelling standards.
The FSA found that several contain undeclared allergens, including peanut and sesame, which aren’t listed on the packaging.
The food safety watchdog first raised concerns earlier this year and has been reviewing samples from products currently on sale.
Until the review is complete, the advice is clear: if you have any allergy, avoid Dubai-style chocolate altogether.
Allergy sufferers have been told to avoid Dubai-style chocolate
|
GETTY
This is particularly crucial in the lead-up to Christmas as Britons stock their cupboards and even purchase bars to gift to loved ones.
Director of Policy at the FSA, Rebecca Sudworth, said: “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.”
“With Christmas just around the corner, there is a risk that some products on sale may not meet our strict UK standards.
“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.”
Some Dubai chocolate bars contain undeclared allergens, including peanut and sesame
|
GETTY
Jessica Merryfield, chartered trading standards practitioner and head of policy and campaigns at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: “CTSI fully supports the FSA’s precautionary advice and shares their commitment to protecting the safety and health of consumers, particularly when it comes to allergens in food; these can be fatal to those with food hypersensitivity.
“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.
“To not do this is illegal and also highly dangerous as it makes such foods unsafe to those with food allergies.”
Trading standards professionals across the country are working alongside the FSA and affected businesses to ensure products meet all safety and labelling requirements.
For those who still want to buy Dubai-style chocolate, the FSA has some practical tips.
The agency recommends purchasing from a reputable retailer and checking that the label is in English.
A proper label should include the product name, a full ingredients list with allergens clearly highlighted, the weight in grams and a best-before or use-by date.
You’ll also want to look for the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information – or if it’s imported from elsewhere, the importer’s details must be shown.
More information on staying safe with food allergies is available at food.gov.uk.