Food news May 2013

European Commission proposes revisions to food and feed regulations

Flavouring substance 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethylthiophene raises safety concerns

Aspartame opinion rescheduled until November 2013

IRELAND – May 22 2013 Green Isle Recalls Harvest Stir Fry
As a precautionary measure, Green Isle is recalling the above batch of frozen Harvest stir fry which was sold in Tesco Ireland stores. This is due to reports from Belgium that one of the ingredients may have been unintentionally contaminated with seeds of a wild plant called datura. These seeds contain tropane alkaloids which may cause illness. No other batches or products are affected by this recall. Green Isle has issued a press notice and in-store recall notices will be displayed in Tesco Ireland stores requesting customers who have bought the implicated batch to return it.

Green Isle HARVEST Stir fry packed with vegetables, beans and seeds, 600 g

Batch Code: L122 04 3116, best before end October 2014

Source: HACCP

UNITED KINGDOM – May 13 2013 Tesco Recalls Simply Ginger Beer - Tesco Simply Ginger Beer, 500ml
Tesco is recalling a batch code of its own-brand Simply Ginger Beer because the product contains barley (gluten), which is not mentioned on the label. This makes the product a possible health risk to those who are allergic or have an intolerance to barley or gluten.

Best before date: 31 March 2014

Batch code: L3081

Customers with an allergy or have an intolerance to barley or gluten who have bought this product are advised not to drink it. Please return it to your nearest Tesco for a full refund.

The company is recalling the above product from sale. Customer notices will be displayed in stores, explaining why the product has been recalled. The company has also contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.

No other Tesco products are known to be affected.

Source: HACCP

UNITED KINGDOM – May 08 2013
Iceland 4 Chinese Pork Quarter Pounders, 454g
Iceland is recalling packs of its 4 Chinese Pork Quarter Pounders because the product contains soya, which is not mentioned on the label. This makes the product a possible health risk for those with an allergy to soya.

Iceland 4 Chinese Pork Quarter Pounders, 454g

‘Best before’ date: 18 December 2013

Iceland has recalled the above product from sale. Point-of-sale notices will be displayed in stores, explaining why the product has been recalled. The company has also contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.

If you have bought the above product and are allergic to soya, please do not eat it. Instead, return it to your nearest Iceland store for a full refund.

No other Iceland products are known to be affected.
Source: HACCP Europa

IRELAND – May 08 2013
Blue Dragon Wasabi Plum Shot stir fry sauce
Milk is not declared on the label of all batches of Blue Dragon Wasabi Plum Shot stir fry sauce. This may make this product unsafe for consumers who are allergic or intolerant to milk or its constituents. BR Marketing, Dublin is recalling the implicated product from Irish recipients.

Blue Dragon Wasabi Plum Shot stir fry sauce

Pack size: 140g

Lot: all best before dates and all batch codes.
Source: HACCP Europa

UNITED KINGDOM – May 08 2013
Botham’s of Whitby, Finest Quality Plum Bread
Botham’s of Whitby withdraws all date codes of Finest Quality Plum Bread due to incorrect allergen labelling
The above product has been found to contain milk, which has not been declared on the label. This makes the product a potential health risk for people who are allergic or have an intolerance to milk or its constituents.

Botham’s of Whitby Finest Quality Plum Bread
All 'best before' dates between and including 13 May 2013 and 24 June 2013

The company has withdrawn the implicated product from sale and informed all their customers who will display point of sale notices in retail stores. In addition, the company has contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will inform their at-risk members of the withdrawal.

No other Botham’s of Whitby products are known to be affected.

Customers with an allergy or intolerance to milk or its constituents are advised not to eat this product and to contact the company on 01947 602 823 or by emailing sales@botham.co.uk for further advice.
Source: UK Food Standards Agency