Food allergies are no joke, and they’re on the rise. For people with more severe allergies, exposure poses a risk of entering anaphylactic shock which can be fatal if it isn’t treated quickly. Even trace amounts of an allergen can trigger a reaction.
In the UK, we have strict laws around allergen control in packaged foods. While any nut allergy sufferer will know that practically everything ‘may contain nuts’, UK law requires ingredients lists to be provided in full and for known allergen contents to be clearly displayed on the packaging.
However, sometimes a mistake in the manufacturing process can mean allergens mistakenly end up in products that shouldn’t contain them, and that’s been the case with a Chinese chilli sauce that’s facing a UK recall.
Laoganma Black Bean Chilli Sauce is a popular option for those who frequent Asian supermarkets, and its popularity has seen it stocked in major UK supermarkets like Sainsbury’s too. Unfortunately, the 280g jars have been recalled by Distributor Fortune Foods Ltd, specially those with the batch code 18232 with an expiry date of March 8th 2026.
The company issued a statement explaining that the recall-prompting issue is ‘isolated’ and ‘not all units are affected’.
“Individuals with a peanut allergy may risk a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product,” it said.
“We deeply regret this incident and are taking immediate steps to strengthen our labelling and quality control procedures to prevent a recurrence.”
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) also issued an alert, saying, “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to peanuts, do not eat it.
“Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.”
Both the FSA has also shared a point-of-sale notice to customers explaining the recall and advising shoppers on further steps.
“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product,” the agency said.
The recall only applies to the Laoganma Black Bean Chilli Sauce, with no other Laoganma products affected.
Peanut allergies are among the most common and potentially deadly in the UK. It’s estimated that around 1 in 50 children have an allergy to peanuts, while around 1 in 200 adults are thought to be affected.
Allergy sufferers, particularly those at risk of anaphylaxis, are advised to carry epinephrine injector pens (commonly known as Epi-Pens) in case of an allergic reaction. If an allergy sufferer is exposed to an allergen and needs to use an Epi-Pen, they’re advised to seek medical attention immediately.
Featured Image Credit: VCG / Contributor/Getty Images
Rachael Davis