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.
