The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said that some imported products may not be intended for sale in the UK
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a warning over certain Dubai-style chocolate products that could be a danger to consumers with allergies.
Allergy sufferers are being urged to exercise caution when purchasing the sought-after treats, as some imported chocolates may not have been intended for the UK market and might lack comprehensive ingredient information or allergen warnings.
The FSA has flagged several products that could pose a health risk to individuals with allergies, noting that some may contain additives and colours not permitted in the UK.
In response to the potential threat, the FSA is conducting surveys and sampling these chocolates to determine the extent of the problem, while also collaborating with allergy charities to inform consumers about the risks.
While the FSA reassures that “most” Dubai-style chocolates found in UK stores are safe, it advised: “If in doubt, don’t buy it and report any concerns to your local authority.”
Under UK regulations, food labels must disclose all ingredients and clearly mark any of the 14 recognised allergens. The FSA recommends that shoppers check labelling details to confirm if a product is meant for sale in the UK.
Products conforming to UK standards should feature English labels that include the food’s name – such as milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling – an ingredient list with highlighted allergens, the net weight in grams, and a best before or use by date.
Professor Robin May, the chief scientific adviser to the FSA, said: “The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don’t meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies.
“If you are looking to buy Dubai-style chocolate, we advise sticking with trusted retailers, like the ones you’d use for your weekly shop, as products are more likely to be made for UK consumers and so are safe to eat.”
Professor May also highlighted the difficulty for consumers in distinguishing between products made for the UK market and those that aren’t, particularly for those with food allergies or intolerances: “As it’s difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren’t, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you’re certain it’s intended for sale here.”
He reminded the public that UK law requires clear labelling of allergens, which may not be the case with some imports: “UK law requires food labels to highlight any of 14 allergens present in the product, but some imported products may not do this. You can find more information on food.gov.uk.”
Finally, he urged anyone with concerns about chocolate on sale to report it to their local authority and reassured that authorities are working to remove unsafe products from sale: “If you have concerns about chocolate that you see on sale, don’t buy it and instead report it to your local authority. We are working closely with local authorities to make sure that any unsafe products are removed from sale as swiftly as possible.”
If you have any concerns about the products you’ve bought, particularly if you have food allergies or intolerances, it’s advised not to consume them.