‘Dirty food factory’ forces Aldi biscuit recall

The biscuits were produced by Middlesbrough firm Baketime Ltd. Products affected included: cheese thins, shortbread, chip cookies and fudge brownies, shortbread and biscotti. 

All Aldi’s orders with Baketime had been suspended, a spokeswoman for the discount chain told FoodManufacture.co.uk.

“We have recalled a number of Aldi-branded products that have been manufactured by Baketime and have immediately suspended all orders with this supplier while we investigate this matter,” said the spokeswoman.

‘Immediately suspended all orders’

“Customers that have purchased the products listed in our public recall notices should return them to their nearest store where they will be offered a full refund.”

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed yesterday (March 29): “Baketime Ltd is recalling various branded biscuit, snack and confectionery products on a precautionary basis as they have been manufactured in unhygienic conditions.”

Pest contamination

All batches of the products listed in the box below were being recalled because they may have been subject to pest contamination, according to the FSA website.

In addition to Aldi, the recalled biscuits were sold by Asvina, Happy Shopper, Booker and LBV. Products affected by the recall appear in the box below.

Shoppers who bought the biscuits were advised not to eat them but to return the packet to the store of purchase for a full refund.

No other products manufactured by Baketime Ltd were known to be affected.

Baketime admitted it had suffered double pest infestations at its factory and apologised to customers for the inconvenience the recall had caused.

Meanwhile, a Morrisons shopper was shocked to discover a live worm wriggling in a packet of fish recently.