🍽️ Urgent recall notice from Just Eat
Just Eat, the UK’s popular food delivery service, has issued a ‘do not eat’ warning to its customers. This follows contamination of mustard-based products containing undeclared peanuts. The contamination was first flagged by Britain’s Food Standards Agency (FSA), which traced the issue back to three Indian mustard suppliers. Affected products include sauces, dips, and pre-packed sandwiches sold through the platform. Just Eat immediately shared the alert with both British and Irish customers to prevent any health risks.
🛑 Why the warning matters
This contamination poses a severe risk, especially for those with peanut allergies. Even a small amount of peanuts can trigger anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. Allergy UK’s Simone Miles warned that this situation increases anxiety for allergy sufferers, limiting their already restricted food choices. About 1 in 50 children and 1 in 200 adults in the UK have a peanut allergy, with 10 deaths and 5,000 hospitalizations each year due to food allergies.
⚠️ Safety measures and product recall
As of October 1, the FSA had recalled 66 products in the UK tied to the contamination. Just Eat advised customers with peanut allergies to avoid all mustard-based foods until further notice. They also recommend contacting restaurants before ordering. The FSA is working to identify and remove the contaminated products from circulation. Mustard itself is a declared allergen in the UK, but the unexpected presence of peanuts has raised additional concerns.
📢 Expert advice for affected customers
Experts stress the importance of following the FSA’s advice to avoid foods with mustard ingredients, as the risk is too great for anyone with peanut allergies. "The safety of the allergic community must come first," said Simone Miles. For those affected, carrying an emergency epinephrine injector is crucial. The contamination is another reminder of the growing risk of allergies in the UK, especially among children, and the need for heightened awareness in food safety practices.
How can we improve allergy safety in the food industry?
