Ready meal sold in Tesco recalled over fears it could make people sick

24 January 2024 , 11:59

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The ready meal is sold in Tesco and Sainsbury's (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Shoppers are being urged to return a ready meal over fears it could pose a health risk to people with certain allergies.

Scratch Meals Ltd has pulled its Chicken Pad Thai with Noodles & Veggies product as it contains peanuts which could cause potentially serious reactions to those who have a peanut allergy or intolerance. This ingredient is not listed on the label.

For some people with peanut allergy, even tiny amounts of peanuts can cause a serious reaction that can even be life-threatening as it will cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis symptoms can include swelling of the throat that makes it difficult to breathe and a severe drop in blood pressure due to shock - which would require emergency medical attention.

The affected products have the pack size of 380g and the use by dates of January 25, January 26, January 27 and January 28 - all have the use by year 2024. The use by dates can be found on the top panel of the sleeve.

The Scratch ready meal can be bought in both Tesco and Sainsbury's who have both issued their own product recalls. Customers who have bought the product and have a peanut allergy are being advised to return it to the store where it was bought from for a full refund - you will not need a receipt to do this. For further details on the recall, customers can contact the company over the phone on 01472 350197 or by email - [email protected].

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In its statement, Scratch Meals has confirmed that no other Scratch product has been affected and has apologised for the inconvenience it may cause.

The product is sold in both Tesco and Sainsbury's (Tesco)

What are recall notices?

Products can be recalled for a range of different reasons including safety – if a product displays risks for the customer – or quality – when the product isn't working as it should be.

The Food Standards Agency is in charge of issuing alerts when there is a problem with a food product. The product can either be "withdrawn" which is where is it taken off the shelves or "recalled" which is when customers are asked to return it.

Food products need to be recalled if they are found to have been contaminated with pathogens that could cause food poisoning, or if plastic or metal has been found in the product due to manufacturing faults. Food items also need to be recalled if any allergen information is missing or incorrect.

Ruby Flanagan