Peanut allergy warning over dips, salads and sandwiches
People with peanut allergies have been told to avoid certain products after a contamination in suppliers factories in India and the UK.
The Food Standards Agency is advising people who have the serious allergy to avoid consuming foods that contain or may contain mustard, mustard powder or mustard flour because they may have been contaminated with peanuts. These ingredients can be found in food such as dips, sauces, salads and pre-packed sandwiches.
The FSA has confirmed that it is urgently working with the relevant Local Authorities, individual businesses and industry to identify which products may be affected. So far, it has traced the contaminated mustard ingredients to a producer in India called GT Agro Industries and have identified FGS who has supplied these ingredients for use in UK food. There is no evidence other suppliers are affected so far.
Read more Sheffield Snapchat teen caught trying to flog catalogue of stolen cars
The agency has stated that it is taking a 'precautionary approach' so that people with a peanut allergy have up to date information about the potential risk and can take action to keep themselves safe. They have advised people to check on the bottom or back of items to check If mustard is present in a food, which if it is - should be labelled in bold on the packet.
Because of how serious allergic reactions to peanuts can be, the FSA says it is taking a precautionary approach, so that people with allergies can keep themselves safe.
Rebecca Sudworth, director of food policy at the FSA, said: “Those with a peanut allergy should avoid consuming products containing mustard as an ingredient until we identify the individual products affected. Parents and carers of children who have a peanut allergy should take care to check the labels of food they buy and, if eating out, or getting a takeaway, ask the restaurant or café about foods that might contain mustard.
"As soon as we have more information, we will update consumers. As always, we urge people with an allergy to sign up to our allergy alerts, so you can be notified about future allergy recalls.”
Get all the latest and breaking news from the Yorkshire coast by signing up to our newsletter here.