Major grocery store recall as public warned to look out for potentially-lethal lasagne

Brits have been warned to watch out for a product sold at the Co-op after a recall was issued.

The Co-op Irresistible Luxury Lasagne Al Forno has been recalled following potentially undeclared mustard and sulphites, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said. In an alert, the FSA said: “Co-op recalls Co-op Irresistible Luxury Lasagne Al Forno because it may contain mustard and sulphites which are not declared on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to mustard and/or a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites.”

The Co-op apologised and said it has contacted allergy support organisations to inform members of the recall. A point-of-sale notice was also issued to customers.

Customers who bought the affected products – which can be identified by a use by date of November 17 – can get a refund by visiting their local store, or they can call 0330 041 7737 if they bought online. The product can also be identified by its pack size of 700g.

Co-op also said customers can “contact the customer careline on 0800 0686 727 or email via the product issues or returns section of the Co-op website”.

According to the NHS, common allergy symptoms include:

• feeling dizzy or lightheaded

• itchy skin or a raised rash (hives)

• swelling of the lips, face and eyes (angioedema)

• coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, noisy breathing or a hoarse voice

• sneezing or an itchy, runny or blocked nose

• feeling sick or being sick

• tummy pain

• diarrhoea

In some cases, food allergies can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis, with horror symptoms including difficulty breathing, swallowing, swelling of the throat and tongue, and feeling dizzy.

In October, more than 20 spice products were recalled over fears they may contain peanuts not mentioned on the label the FSA said. Among the products listed were Domino’s BBQ Dip and a number of seasonings and curry powders with the Favourit and Dunnes Store labels, as well as some Westmorland Family Butchery sausages and burgers.

It comes weeks after another recall by the same producer about undeclared nuts within its mustard products. Last month Leicester-based FGS Ingredients said it had carried out additional testing across its ingredients and had “not detected any presence of peanut content or residue”, but advised customers to remove products from sale containing the mustard ingredients.

Darren Whitby, the FSA’s head of incidents, said last month: “Our advice still applies – 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.”

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