An update from Food Standards Agency regarding Mustard Products and Peanut Contamination

Allergy advice lifted as investigation into mustard ingredients contaminated with peanuts draws to a close.

You will no doubt have seen our recent communications regarding The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) investigation into potential peanut contamination in mustard ingredients.

We have now been advised by the FSA and FSS that all necessary food safety measures have been put in place and affected products removed from sale following their investigation into mustard products being contaminated with peanuts. As a result of this investigation, the FSA have lifted their precautionary advice to people with a peanut allergy to avoid eating foods that contain or may contain mustard, mustard powder, mustard seeds or mustard flour both in the home and when eating out as these products are now safe to eat.

PLEASE NOTE : There are still some products containing mustard being recalled from sale. This is what is known as a ‘precautionary recall’, where products are being removed from sale to minimise any potential risk to people with a peanut allergy. ⁣The ongoing precautionary product recalls do not affect the lifting of the advice, and people with a peanut allergy no longer need to avoid consuming foods containing mustard. However it is important that people with a peanut allergy continue to avoid products listed in the allergy alerts issued as part of this investigation and we would urge you to continue checking the FSA’s allergy alerts to keep updated with products that have been recalled as part of the precautionary recall. ⁣Consumers and businesses are also urged to check whether they still have any of the affected products listed and if so, they should follow the advice in the alerts on the FSA’s website.

Some mustard-based products will now have a precautionary allergen label (PAL) and consumers with a peanut allergy should check whether products they might have previously purchased now carry these labels.

 Rebecca Sudworth, Director of Policy at the Food Standards Agency said:

“This has been a complex investigation and I want to thank people for their patience whilst we’ve been working to identify the source and remove affected products from sale.

I’m pleased to say we are now in a position to lift our consumer advice for people with a peanut allergy to avoid eating foods that contain or may contain mustard, mustard powder, mustard seeds or mustard flour and I hope this provides them with confidence that they can continue to eat these foods, both at home or when eating out.

With thanks to the support and work of FSS, relevant businesses, local authorities, trade associations and other government agencies, we are confident that the necessary food safety measures have been put in place and the affected products removed from sale or carry a precautionary allergen label (PAL).

We continue to encourage consumers with a food allergy and businesses to sign up for our allergy alerts to stay informed about product recalls in the future, enabling them to take action if necessary.”

Simon Williams, Chief Executive of Anaphylaxis UK said:

“We fully understand the worry and distress this investigation has caused for people living with a peanut allergy, and their families. It has been a difficult and anxious time for many, but we would like to assure you that Anaphylaxis UK will continue to work closely with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to share learnings and feedback from this investigation.”