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FSA advises anyone with a peanut allergy to avoid all foods containing mustard until further notice

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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is urging people with peanut allergies in Suffolk and throughout the country to avoid foods containing mustard due to potential contamination.

The big picture: Mustard ingredients from an Indian producer are contaminated with peanuts, prompting a widespread alert across the UK food industry. This precautionary measure affects a wide range of products, including dips, sauces, and pre-packed sandwiches.

Why it matters: Peanut allergies can cause severe reactions in some individuals, making this contamination a significant health risk.

Key details:

  • The contaminated ingredients have been traced to GT Agro Industries in India

  • One UK company, FGS Ingredients Ltd, has been identified as supplying these ingredients

  • The FSA is working with local authorities and businesses to identify affected products

  • A full list of recalled products is available on the FSA website

What to watch: The FSA advises consumers with peanut allergies to:

  • Check labels for mustard ingredients, which should be in bold as it's an allergen

  • Look for "may contain" labels mentioning mustard

  • Ask staff about mustard content when eating out or ordering takeaways

What they're saying: Rebecca Sudworth, FSA's Director of Food Policy, 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 cafe about foods that might contain mustard."

The bottom line: While the FSA works to identify all affected products, people with peanut allergies should avoid any food containing mustard ingredients until further notice.

What Labour's first Budget means for your money in Ipswich

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced her first budget since Labour returned to power, introducing changes affecting wages, taxes, and daily costs for Ipswich residents.

The big picture: The Budget delivers minimum wage increases and support for carers while introducing new taxes on vaping, adjusting alcohol duties, and making changes to housing policies and transport costs.

Here are the key changes affecting your wallet:

  • Wages: If you're over 21, the minimum wage rises to £12.21 per hour from April (up from £11.44). Younger workers aged 18-20 will see their minimum rate jump to £10.

  • Travel costs: Bus fares will increase as the £2 cap on single journeys rises to £3 from January. Drivers get some relief as the 5p fuel duty cut continues for another year.

  • Vaping: A new £2.20 tax per 10ml of vaping liquid starts from October 2026.

  • Alcohol: Pub-goers benefit from a 1.7% tax cut on draught drinks, but other alcoholic beverages will see tax rises in line with inflation.

  • Smoking: Tobacco tax increases by 2% above inflation, with hand-rolling tobacco rising by 10% above inflation.

Rachel Reeves with the Budget briefcase
Rachel Reeves announced her first budget since Labour returned to powerAlamy

For carers: The earnings threshold for full-time carer allowances increases from £151 to £195 weekly, meaning carers can earn more while keeping their benefits.

Housing impact: Second-home buyers face higher costs as the stamp duty surcharge rises from 3% to 5%, but there is a £500m boost to the affordable homes budget, which runs until 2026. Social housing providers can increase rents above inflation as part of a multi-year settlement.

Looking ahead: Income tax band thresholds will rise with inflation after 2028, which should prevent more people from being pushed into higher tax bands as wages increase.

The bottom line: While workers on minimum wage will see significant increases in their pay, new taxes on vaping and changes to housing costs could impact household budgets.

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