ASDA urgently recalls family favourite over fears it could trigger horror reactions
ASDA has urgently recalled a product in its "simple to cook" range over fears it could trigger allergic reactions.
Some batches of the supermarket's Classic Boneless Chicken Dinner Joint contain wheat, which is not listed on the label.
"This means it is a possible health risk for anyone with coeliac disease and/or an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten," the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said.
The "do not eat" warning applies to packs with a 'use by' date of October 1, 2023.
Anyone susceptible can return the family favourite to their nearest store for a full refund, with or without a receipt.
A spokesperson for ASDA said: "We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused and will ensure this doesn't happen again."
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An estimated two million people live with a diagnosed food allergy in the UK, and about 600,000 have coeliac disease - a condition where the immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten.
Allergic reactions can range from sneezing and feeling a little dizzy to life-threatening anaphylaxis, which blocks the airways.
Other common symptoms include:
- Swelling of your throat and tongue
- Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast
- Trouble swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice
- Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing
- Tiredness or confusion
- Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting
- Skin that feels cold to the touch
- Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue (if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- Swelling of the lips, face and eyes
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Itchy skin or hives
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When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten - found in wheat, rye, barley and oats - they often experience gut problems like:
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach ache
- Bloating
- Farting
- Indigestion
- Constipation
Gluten consumption can also trigger more general symptoms, such as fatigue, unintentional weight loss, an itchy rash, nerve damage, and disorders that affect coordination, balance and speech.
And potential long-term complications include infertility, osteoporosis, anaemia and bowel cancer.
Analysis of UK NHS data in 2021 found deaths from serious reactions due to food have declined in the last 20 years.
But around 10 people still lose their lives annually.
And hospital admissions for food-induced anaphylaxis have shot up since the late 90s.
Between 1998 and 2018, there was a three-fold increase per year, from 1.23 to 4.04 admissions per 100,000 population.
What to do if you have anaphylaxis
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one (instructions are included on the side of the injector).
- Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you're having an anaphylactic reaction.
- Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you're struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you're pregnant, lie on your left side).
- If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it's still in the skin.
- If your symptoms have not improved after five minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector.
Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better.
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