Major British supermarket Waitrose has pulled an item off its shelves as it contains soya which was not declared on the label.
Soya/soy is a food allergen and could induce symptoms such as a red raised rash, tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth, swelling of lips, face or eyes, and stomach pain or vomiting, in those who are allergic to it.
Waitrose said: "We are recalling this product as soya has not been declared on the label. This poses a risk to those with an allergy to soya."
Affected customers were warned not to consume the product, package up the item, return the product to their local Waitrose & Partners branch for a refund and contact Waitrose Customer Care 0800 188 884, Option 4.
The supermarket apologised for any inconvenience caused to customers.
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'We are recalling this product as soya has not been declared on the label. This poses a risk to those with an allergy to soya'
Waitrose
Waitrose PlantLiving: 4 Frozen Bean Burgers 454g
Pack size: 454 g
Brand: Waitrose
Use By: 12 2024, Lot 3348S0
There are different types of soya allergy. Anaphylaxis UK explained: "An Immediate soya allergy happens when the body’s immune system wrongly mistakes soya to be a threat and produces a type of antibody known as IgE.
"When you eat soya, the body releases chemicals, such as histamine, that cause the symptoms. These reactions tend to happen very soon after eating soya, usually within seconds or minutes, but can sometimes take longer to develop. Very rarely, it can lead to anaphylaxis.
"Mild to moderate symptoms of an immediate soya allergy include a red raised rash (known as hives or urticaria) anywhere on the body, a tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth, a swelling of lips, face or eyes and stomach pain or vomiting."
Symptoms of a delayed soya allergy take much longer to appear and usually come about hours to days after eating soya. Typical symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, however, this type of allergy does not lead to anaphylaxis and is not life-threatening.
Anaphylaxis UK added: "Soy can cause symptoms in people with other allergic conditions including Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and proctocolitis, but these conditions are not covered here."
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Waitrose issues product recall due to undeclared allergen
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Food recalls must be taken seriously when they are issued. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) explained why some products are pulled off shelves.
The Government department said: "Sometimes there will be a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold.
"Then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product).
"Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect or if there is any other food allergy risk. When there is a food allergy risk, the FSA will issue an Allergy Alert."
This comes as TK Maxx pulled two products from shelves as customers warned of 'electric shock' risk.