Food watchdog issues warning over Dubai-style chocolate
The Food Standards Agency has issued a precautionary warning advising people with allergies not to eat Dubai-style chocolate products while safety checks are ongoing.
The watchdog says it has identified several Dubai-style chocolate products that do not meet UK food safety and labelling standards, with some found to contain allergens such as peanut and sesame that are not declared on the label.
The FSA said it is reviewing sampling data from products currently on sale to assess whether they comply with legal requirements.
Until that work is completed, consumers with allergies are being advised to avoid these products entirely.
Rebecca Sudworth, Director of Policy at the FSA, said: “Dubai-style chocolate has become hugely popular, but we’ve found that some products contain peanut and sesame that aren’t declared on the label. For someone with allergies, this could be dangerous.
“With Christmas just around corner, there is a risk that some products on sale may not meet our strict UK standards.”
“People with an allergy should not eat Dubai-style chocolate. If you’re buying a gift for someone who lives with allergies, our advice is to avoid buying these products. This includes all allergies, not just peanut and sesame.”
“People without allergies can consume these products, especially where they are supplied by reputable brands and retailers.”
The FSA said it has shared its findings with businesses and industry groups to ensure unsafe or incorrectly labelled products are addressed. Concerns have also been shared with allergy charities to help raise public awareness.
Jessica Merryfield, Chartered Trading Standards Practitioner and Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: “CTSI fully supports the FSA’s precautionary advice and share their commitment to protecting the safety and health of consumers, particularly when it comes to allergens in food; these can be fatal to those with food hypersensitivity.
“The legal requirements on this are clear – any food containing allergens needs to be clearly identified and labelled as such to allow consumers to make informed and safe choices. To not do this is illegal and also highly dangerous as it makes such foods unsafe to those with food allergies.”
“We urge all food businesses, including retailers and importers, to take immediate steps to comply. Businesses who are not sure if they are affected by this warning should contact their local Trading Standards service for advice and guidance.”
For those who still choose to buy Dubai-style chocolate, the FSA advises purchasing from reputable retailers and checking labels are in English and include full ingredient lists with allergens clearly emphasised, as well as a best before or use by date and UK or EU business details.
The agency said it will continue monitoring the products and provide further updates.
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
