Shoppers in Northern Ireland have been warned about a significant product recall involving desiccated coconut due to the possible presence of green plastic.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued an alert concerning two products sold at Dunnes Stores: Dunnes Stores Desiccated Coconut and Gem Desiccated Coconut.
The affected items include 250g packages of Dunnes Stores Desiccated Coconut, with best-before dates in June and July 2026, and 250g packages of Gem Desiccated Coconut, carrying best-before dates in June 2026 and August 2026.
The possible contamination makes these products, typically used in baking and cooking, unsafe for consumption.
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As a result, retail outlets stocking the affected batches have been instructed to remove them from shelves immediately and display prominent recall notices.
The contamination issue affects multiple production batches across different packaging formats.
Dunnes Stores acknowledged the safety concern in its recall notice, stating that it had acted "on the advice" of its supplier, Gempack, and taken precautionary measures.
The retailer advised: "Do not eat the affected products; instead, return them to a Dunnes Stores store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required."
Dunnes Stores has issued a food safety warning over widespread contamination fears
|PA
The company apologised for the inconvenience caused to customers and assured them that Dunnes Stores is committed to ensuring its products are "of the finest quality at all times".
The recent contamination alert forms part of a broader recall affecting the Republic of Ireland, where additional brands have been implicated.
The Pantry's 200g packages and Sysco Classic's 1kg containers are among those withdrawn from sale.
Health officials at the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have identified numerous batch codes across multiple brands.
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Customers have been told 'do not eat' the affected products
|DUNNES STORES
PT Royal Coconut's industrial 25kg sacks with April 2026 expiry dates are also affected, indicating the contamination spans various supply chains.
Best-before dates for the recalled products range from June 2026 to August 2026.
The affected items originate from Indonesia, according to food safety officials coordinating the product withdrawal.
The retailer has established customer service lines for queries, including a dedicated UK number for affected shoppers.
Food safety inspectors have been tasked with monitoring the recall's implementation across distribution networks.
Wholesalers and catering establishments have received instructions to withdraw implicated batches from their inventories.
With the recall spanning two countries and several retailers, anyone who could be affected is urged to check their kitchens for implicated products.
About product recalls and withdrawals
The FSA explained: "If there is 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).
"The FSA issues Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
"In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers."
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