Budget supermarket chain Farmfoods has issued an urgent recall for its popular Chicken and Spinach Pasta ready meal after discovering potentially deadly allergens were not listed on the label. The frozen food specialist confirmed that affected packs may contain crustaceans, fish and molluscs, posing a serious health risk to millions of allergy sufferers across Britain.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced the immediate withdrawal of multiple batches from the chain’s 341 stores throughout the UK on Tuesday. The contamination affects 350g pasta meals with a best before date of January 2027, sparking concerns for customers who may have already purchased and consumed the product.
According to the FSA, shellfish allergies affect up to 1.5 million adults in the UK, with reactions ranging from mild symptoms to potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. The agency has classified this as a critical food safety alert requiring immediate action.
Five Batch Codes Affected
The recall specifically targets products with the following batch codes: L5192B05D, L5192C05D, L5193C05D, L5193A05D and L5193B05D. Customers can find these codes printed in the bottom-right corner on the back of the packaging.
A Farmfoods spokesperson stated: “As a precautionary measure, Farmfoods 350g chicken and spinach pasta is being recalled due to the possible presence of seafood. We take consumer safety very seriously and sincerely apologise to our loyal customers for this situation and any inconvenience it may have caused.”
The company has confirmed that affected products were distributed across its entire UK network, which spans over 300 locations in England, Scotland and Wales. The chain, known for its frozen food speciality and budget-friendly prices, typically operates from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, with reduced Sunday hours.
Immediate Health Warnings Issued
Dr Sarah Matthews, an allergy specialist at Imperial College London, explained the severity of the risk: “Crustacean and mollusc allergies can trigger anaphylaxis within minutes of consumption. Even trace amounts of these proteins can cause the throat to swell and breathing to stop.”
The NHS emphasises that shellfish allergies are amongst the most common adult-onset food allergies and rarely outgrown once developed. Unlike many childhood allergies, these can manifest at any point in life, even after consuming the same foods without previous reactions.
Medical professionals warn that symptoms can include hives, facial swelling, vomiting, difficulty breathing and cardiovascular collapse. The most effective treatment remains timely administration of adrenaline via auto-injector devices like EpiPens.
Point-of-Sale Notices Deployed
Farmfoods has been instructed by the FSA to display prominent notices in all stores explaining the recall details. The company has also contacted relevant allergy support organisations to alert their members about the contamination risk.
“If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to crustaceans, fish or molluscs do not eat it,” the FSA warning states. “Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.”
The retailer has confirmed that customers can return affected products with or without a receipt for immediate reimbursement. Customer services remain available on 0121 700 7160 for those requiring additional information or assistance.
Cross-Contamination Concerns
Food safety experts believe the undeclared allergens resulted from cross-contamination during the manufacturing process, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in food production facilities where multiple products are processed using shared equipment.
Professor Tom Richardson from the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology noted: “Manufacturing errors like this underscore why individuals with severe allergies must remain vigilant, even with familiar products. Cross-contact can occur at any stage of food handling.”
The recall comes as food allergies continue rising across Britain, with recent Imperial College research showing prevalence has more than doubled since 2008. Currently, up to 44 per cent of British adults suffer from at least one allergy, making the UK amongst the most affected nations globally.
Industry-Wide Implications
This latest incident adds to growing concerns about allergen management within the food industry. Recent months have seen multiple recalls across various UK retailers for undeclared allergens, prompting calls for stricter manufacturing controls.
The Food Standards Agency reports that molluscs, crustaceans and fish constitute three of the 14 regulated allergens requiring mandatory labelling under UK law. Businesses failing to properly declare these ingredients face substantial penalties and potential legal action.
Industry analysts suggest the recall could cost Farmfoods hundreds of thousands of pounds in lost sales, disposal costs and brand damage. The incident may also trigger enhanced scrutiny of the company’s supply chain and quality control procedures.
Shellfish Allergy Statistics
Research published in the Lancet Public Health indicates shellfish allergies affect between 0.5 and 3 per cent of the UK population, with higher prevalence in coastal regions. Unlike many food allergies that develop in childhood, shellfish allergies commonly emerge in adulthood.
Studies show that whilst some sufferers can tolerate specific types of shellfish, most allergists recommend complete avoidance due to high cross-reactivity between species. The proteins causing reactions, particularly tropomyosin, remain stable even after cooking, meaning all forms pose risks.
Healthcare data reveals that approximately 50 per cent of shellfish-allergic adults have visited emergency departments for severe reactions, with 10 per cent requiring treatment within the past year alone.
Consumer Protection Measures
Trading Standards officers are monitoring the recall’s effectiveness whilst investigating how the contamination occurred. The FSA continues updating its alert system to ensure maximum public awareness of the safety risk.
Consumer advocacy groups stress the importance of checking batch codes before consuming any Farmfoods Chicken and Spinach Pasta products. They also recommend that individuals with seafood allergies avoid the product entirely, regardless of batch codes, until investigations conclude.
The incident serves as a reminder for allergy sufferers to maintain constant vigilance and always carry prescribed emergency medications. Medical professionals advise anyone experiencing allergic symptoms after consuming the product to seek immediate medical attention.
For those affected by this recall or requiring further information about food allergies, Allergy UK provides support through its helpline and online resources. The charity emphasises that prompt action following recalls can prevent potentially life-threatening reactions.
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