A PRODUCT from Aldi’s party food selection has been urgently recalled due to a possible allergy risk.
Aldi customers who have bought the product have been advised to “not eat it” as it could pose a health risk for anyone with an allergy to sesame.
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The discount supermarket chain is recalling its Let’s Party Vegetable Bao Buns because they contain sesame and duck meat which is not mentioned on the label.
This means the product is a possible health risk for sesame allergy sufferers.
Aldi stated: “Our supplier is recalling Let’s Party Vegetable Bao Buns due to an error meaning some products contain an undeclared allergen (sesame) as well as duck meat which is not listed on the packaging.
“This may present a health risk to anyone with a sesame allergy.”
The UK’s fourth largest supermarket added: “We apologise this product did not meet our normal high standards and thank you for your co-operation.”
Aldi has also contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall, and a point-of-sale notice has been issued to its customers.
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What to do it you’ve bought the product
The Foods Standards Agency, responsible for food safety and hygiene in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, advised what to do if you’ve been affected.
It said: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to sesame, do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.”
For further information you can visit help.aldi.co.uk or, for Ireland, help.aldi.ie.
Its customer services can also be contacted on 0800 042 0800 for the UK and 1800 991 828 in Ireland.
Sesame allergy
Sesame allergy has become more common over the last 20 years, according to Anaphylaxis UK.
The NHS says one in 100 people are likely to have a sesame allergy.
Symptoms can appear within minutes or a couple of hours after eating or drinking sesame products.
Symptoms can include:
- Rash (hives or ‘nettle’ rash)
- Swelling around the lips, face or eyes
- Itchy throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth
- Stomach pain
Most people with sesame seed allergy will only have mild reactions.
Severe reactions affecting the child’s breathing occur in about 15 per cent of cases, particularly in those with poorly controlled asthma.
More severe reactions may also occur if the child has a cold, following intense exercise, at times of stress or in teenagers after drinking alcohol.
Severe reactions need urgent medical attention.
How to manage a reaction to sesame seeds
If sesame seeds are accidentally eaten, the food should be spat out straight away and an antihistamine taken as soon as possible.
Severe symptoms to look out for include:
- Difficulty breathing (wheezing, noisy breathing, blue colour)
- Swelling in the throat (noisy breathing, drooling)
- Feeling faint or dizzy, looking very pale (lie the child down with their legs raised).
If any of these severe symptoms occur get help straight away and dial 999 stating “anaphylaxis” (ana-fil-ak-sis).
If anaphylaxis occurs you should also follow these steps:
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions are included on the side of the injector.
- Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you’re struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you’re pregnant, lie on your left side).
- If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it’s still in the skin.
- If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a 2nd adrenaline auto-injector.
Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better.
Source: NHS
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