Urgent recall: Farmhouse Biscuits recalls Honey and Oat cookies as they could trigger allergic reactions

Urgent-recall-Farmhouse-Biscuits-recalls-Honey-and-Oat-cookies-as-they-could-trigger-allergic-reactions.jpg
UK biscuit producer Farmhouse Biscuits is urgently recalling its Honey and Oat biscuits as they contain wheat not declared on the label. Pic: ©GettyImages/Ildo Frazao

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK has issued an urgent recall of Farmhouse Biscuits Honey and Oat cookies, as biscuits that contain wheat were accidentally packed into some packets.

Wheat is not listed on the packaging of the Honey and Oat biscuits, only rolled oats, vegetable fat, sugar and honey.

Wheat can trigger symptoms in people who have a wheat allergy or are celiac disease sufferers, from uncomfortable itching and wheezing, to more serious diarrhea and stomach pains.

Severe allergies can even result in anaphylactic shock, which can be life threatening.

Return for full refund

Shoppers who bought the 200g packets of the biscuits at Asda with a use-by date up to May 2019 have been advised to return them for a full refund.

No other products made by Farmhouse Biscuits Ltd are known to be affected.

The FSA has also advised the UK biscuit manufacturer to contact allergy support organizations, so their members can be informed about the recall.

“It has come to our attention that a small number of packets of this batch have the incorrect biscuits packed within, resulting in an incorrect allergen declaration in the pack. We apologize for any inconvenience caused,” Farmhouse Biscuits said in a statement.

Don’t want a Pret a Manger repeat

The urgent recall comes while the industry is still reeling over the deaths of two Pret a Manger consumers after eating foods that caused anaphylactic shocks.

In December 2016, 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who was allergic to sesame, died after eating one of the sandwich chain’s baguettes, while in December last year, mother-of-five Celia Marsh died after consuming a super-veg rainbow flatbread that was supposed to contact a dairy-free yogurt, but was found to contain dairy.

Pret announced last week it will include full ingredient labeling on all its products.