Contaminated mustard sparks allergy warning

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is working with the relevant Local Authorities, individual businesses and industry to identify which products may be affected. 

As of writing, the contaminated mustard product has been traced back to Indian producer GT Agro Industries. The FSA has identified one company that has supplied these ingredients for use in UK food.

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. ​

Allergy alerts

“As soon as we have more information, we will update consumers. As always, we urge people with an allergy to sign up to our allergy alerts, so you can be notified about future allergy recalls.”​

Specific allergy alerts will be listed on the FSA’s website as an when the organisation finds and individual that has been affected.

The UK company affected, FGS Ingredients Ltd, has advised its customers to remove from sale products containing the contaminated mustard ingredients. The FSA has asked industry to review their food supply systems and remove from sale any products that may have contaminated mustard ingredients.

Undeclared allergens

Undeclared allergens are the most common cause for food and drink product recalls. This can be due to a number of factors, from allergens not being highlighted in bold on packaging, to products being packed in the wrong packaging.

Earlier this month, both Lidl and Iceland recalled own label products​​ because allergens present were not listed on the labels.

Meanwhile, recall incidents in the US, EU, UK and Australia are set to exceed 2023 figures,​​ suggests data from recall and crisis management firm RQA Group.