Supermarkets issue ‘do not drink warning’ over counterfeit drink

A number of UK supermarkets have recalled some popular food and drink items, amid concerns that they could be unsafe for human consumption.

The Food Standards Agency have issued a number of alerts in recent weeks, advising shoppers to return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Some items have been removed from shelves due to concerns surrounding the presence of undeclared nuts, while another recall has been made due to undeclared fish, and a third is due to concerns surrounding counterfeit items that are not what their label claims.

Here is a comprehensive list of items that should be returned to retailers.

Glen’s Vodka

The FSA have issued a recall for Glen’s Vodka after being made aware of the production and distribution of counterfeit vodka labelled as Glen’s Vodka. The counterfeit vodka may have a strange smell and taste different to genuine vodka.

This counterfeit vodka has been found to contain isopropyl alcohol, so they are unsafe. Isopropyl alcohol is an industrial solvent and is not intended for human consumption, and can quickly lead to alcohol poisoning or death when consumed by humans.

Symptoms of consuming isopropyl include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Intoxication

• Respiratory depression

• Coma

Anyone with symptoms should seek immediate medical help.

If you believe you have purchased the counterfeit vodka, the FSA advise: “Store it in a safe place and report it to your Local Authority for further instruction and advice.”

They add: “If anyone has any information on the manufacture or sale of counterfeit alcohol, then please contact our freephone confidential National Food Crime Unit hotline: 0800 028 1180.”

Aldi’s Soupreme Creamy Chicken Soup

• Pack size: 600g
• Best before: 1 October 2024

Aldi’s Specially Selected Pea and Ham Hock Soup

• Pack size: 600g
• Best before: 28 September 2024

Aldi is recalling its Soupreme Creamy Chicken Soup and Specially Selected Pea and Ham Hock Soup because they may contain peanuts, which are not mentioned on the label, posing a risk for anyone with a peanut allergy.

For those who have purchased the soups, the FSA advise: “If you have bought any of the above products and have an allergy to peanuts, do not eat them. Instead return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.”

Prestat Chocolates

Prestat are recalling a number of their chocolate products because they may contain peanuts which are not mentioned on the label making them a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to peanuts.

These include:

The London Collection Box

• Pack size: 200g
• Batch codes: 148148, 139139
• Best before: 29 January 2025

The Jewel Box

• Pack sizes: 120g, 210g
• Batch code: 179179
• Best before: 16 January 2025

The Jewel Box

• Pack size: 325g
• Batch codes: 226226, 139139
• Best before: 16 January 2025, 27 February 2025

The London Collection Earl Grey Thins

• Pack size: 200g
• Batch code: 345345
• Best before: 19 May 2025

The Festive House Earl Grey Truffles

• Pack size: 60g
• Batch code: 149149
• Best before: 17 June 2025

Symptoms of an allergic reaction, as listed by the NHS:

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Itchy skin or a raised rash
• Swelling of the lips, face and eyes
• Coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, noisy breathing or a hoarse voice
• Sneezing or an itchy, runny or blocked nose
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Tummy pain
• Diarrhoea

The NHS added: “You may get symptoms straight after eating the food you’re allergic to, or days later.” A mild allergy can be treated with antihistamines, but a severe reaction could need “emergency” medication, such as an EpiPen.

Whatever Brands Oreo Products

A number of Oreo products are being recalled due to undeclared peanuts. This only affects products sold in the UK with a Whatever Brands label.

These products are:

Oreo Dark & White Chocolate

• Pack size: 119.6g
• Best before: 14 March 2025, 15 March 2025, 20 March 2025, 23 March 2025

Oreo Strawberry Cream

• Pack size 119.6g
• Best before 15 March 2025

Oreo Blueberry Ice Cream

• Pack size: 119.6g
• Best before: 01 November 2024

Oreo Cream Chocolate Cookie

• Pack size: 119.6g
• Best before: 15 September 2024

Oreo Vanilla Cookie

• Pack size: 119.6g
• Best before: 06 September 2024

Mayil Products

Top in Town Foods is recalling various Mayil products because of incorrect allergen labelling. Ingredients lists do not correctly identify crustaceans, fish, mustard or sesame as allergens. This means the products are a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to crustaceans, fish, mustard or sesame.

These are:

Mayil Prawn Chutney Powder

• Pack size: 200g
• Allergens: Crustaceans

Mayil Crushed Chilly Chutney with Prawn

• Pack size: 200g
• Allergens: Crustaceans, Sesame

Mayil Tender Mango Pickle

• Pack size: 400g
• Allergens: Mustard, Sesame

Mayil Kaduku Mango Pickle

• Pack size: 400g
• Allergens: Mustard, Sesame

Mayil Dry Chilly Chutney

• Pack size: 400g
• Allergens: Sesame

Mayil Bitter Gourd Pickle

• Pack size: 400g
• Allergens: Sesame

Mayil Bitter Gourd Pickle (Home Made)

• Pack size: 200g
• Allergens: Sesame

Mayil Prawn Pickle

• Pack size: 400g
• Allergens: Crustaceans, Mustard, Sesame

Mayil Fish Chutney

• Pack size: 200g
• Allergens: Fish, Sesame

Mayil Uluva Mango

• Pack size: 300g
• Allergens: Mustard

Mayil Vaduka Puli Pickle

• Pack size: 400g
• Allergens: Mustard, Sesame

Mayil Cut Mango Pickle

• Pack size: 1Kg
• Allergens: Mustard, Sesame

Mayil Uluva Nellicka

• Pack size: 300g
• Allergens: Mustard, Sesame

Mayil Hot and Sweet Lime Pickle

• Pack size: 400g
• Allergens: Mustard, Sesame

Mayil Lemon Pickle

• Pack size: 400g and 1Kg
• Allergens: Mustard, Sesame

Japan Centre Group Ltd’s Ikari Sauce (Non-Oil Soy Sauce & Yuzu Dressing)

• Pack size: 200ml
• Best before 07 September 2024, 06 October 2024, 11 November 2024, 15 December 2024 and 18 January 2025

Japan Centre Group’s Ikari Sauce has been recalled by the FSA as the product contains undeclared fish making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to fish.

The FSA state: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to fish, do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. For further information, please contact the Japan Centre Group at [email protected].”