Walkers recalls crisps after incorrect allergen labelling

Walkers recalled 40g and 73g packs of its Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli flavour potato crisps because they contained wheat (gluten), which was not emphasised correctly on the label. It was on the ingredients list, but not highlighted in bold.

The presence of gluten in the crisps meant they posed a possible health risk for consumers with an allergy or intolerance to the ingredient – such as coeliacs.

The recall applied to packs of the crisps with best-before days of up to and including 29 January 2019.

Full refund​

Consumers that might have an allergy or intolerance to gluten and have bought the products were advised not to eat them and to return them to the store from which they were purchased from to receive a full refund.

A Walkers spokesman said: “As a precautionary measure, we are recalling Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli crisps in the 40g and 73g formats. Wheat is listed in the ingredients, but is not highlighted in bold. ​

“​We are working with the Food Standards Agency, retailers and allergen groups to recall the products and inform consumers. No other products have been affected."​

This week also saw confectionery manufacturer Gardiners of Scotland recall products due to undeclared allergens.

Gardiners recalled its Gardiners Scottish Macaroon Bars, because they contained soya that was not mentioned on the label.

The company recalled 85g packs of the bars with best-before dates ranging from 18 November 2018 to 3 February 2019 (see box below for the full list), as well as a number of batch codes.

Allergy or intolerance​

Due to the presence of soya in the products, consumers with an allergy or intolerance to the ingredient were advised not to eat them. They were asked to return the products to the store they were bought from to receive a full refund.

Meanwhile, last week, SlimFast recalled its Advanced Vitality Strawberry + Blueberry Burst Meal Replacement Powder Shake Vegan because it contained milk protein that was not mentioned on the label.

Products included in the recall had a best-before date of October 2019 and the batch codes 8291, 8292, 8293, 8294. The recall applied to 450g packs of the meal replacement powder.

As with the Walkers and Gardiners recalls, consumers were advised to return the product to the store it was bought from to receive a full refund.