HOME Bargains has pulled tins of shortbread biscuits from shelves over fears they could trigger allergies.
A labelling error saw Oxfordshire Tea Co. Butter Shortbread packed in tins that stated they’re gluten-free, when in reality they contain wheat.
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This means that the treats are a possible health risk to anyone who is allergic to gluten.
It’s thought that one in every 100 people in the UK has coeliac disease – the name given to gluten intolerance – although only 30 per cent of people have been officially diagnosed, according to Coeliac UK.
Symptoms can range from very mild to severe, including illnesses like diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, gas and bloating, fatigue and anaemia.
An extreme reaction can cause anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening.
Your product recall rights
PRODUCT recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you – the customer – to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don’t there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work – such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item.
The biscuits come in a pink tin that weighs 119g and has a barcode number of 10180198.
Customers who are known to have a wheat intolerance are being urged not to eat the snacks.
Instead, they should return it to any Home Bargains store in exchange for a full refund. You don’t have to bring the receipt.
Worried customers can also call the retailer’s customer service team on 01515 302920 or email them at support@homebargains.co.uk.
No other product by the manufacturers is known to be affected by the recall.
In a notice issued on the Food Standards Agency website, Home Bargains said: “We apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused.”
Other food recalls to look out for include chicken breaded steaks from Aldi, which contain milk even though it’s not declared on the label.
Packs of Birds Eye’s chicken nuggets have also been pulled from shelves because they may contain pieces of plastic.
And Turkey Dinosaurs sold in Iceland have also been recalled over fears they could contain metal pieces.
