Waitrose warns shoppers to 'pack up item' and return it immediately

Waitrose has issued an urgent product recall over chocolate cupcakes as it urged shoppers to return the items to stores. The supermarket, which is rivalled by the likes of Sainsbury's, Tesco, Aldi, Asda and more, issued the notice on its website.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and would like to assure customers of our continued commitment to the highest standards of product quality and food safety," Waitrose confirmed in a warning to its loyal consumer base.

The alert went on: "Waitrose & Partners Chocolate Mini Cupcakes 9’s. Pack: 1. Brand: Waitrose. Best Before Date: 20 JUL. We are recalling Waitrose & Partners Mini Cupcakes due to undeclared walnuts. Do not consume. Package up item.

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"Return the product to your local Waitrose & Partners branch for a refund. Contact: Waitrose Customer Care 0800 188 884, Option 4. We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused."

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned: "Waitrose and Partners are recalling Waitrose Chocolate Mini Cupcakes because they contain walnuts (nuts) which are not mentioned on the label. As a result of a packaging error, some packs contain Coffee and Walnut Cupcakes. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to walnuts (nuts)."

"This product contains walnuts (nuts) making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to walnuts (nuts)," it went on. "Waitrose and Partners are recalling the above product from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. The company has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

"If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to walnuts (nuts), do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. For more information contact Waitrose Customer Care on 0800 188 884, Option 4."