On November 27, 2025, Asda quietly pulled its 10 Mini Duck Spring Rolls with Hoisin Dip from shelves after discovering a dangerous labeling error: the use-by date was printed as December 29, 2025 — when it should have been November 29, 2025. That’s a full month of extra shelf life falsely promised to customers. For some, it might seem like a paperwork glitch. But for others, it’s a potential food poisoning risk. The Food Standards Agency, the UK’s official food safety watchdog, confirmed the alert on November 25, calling it a "standard food alert" — a bureaucratic term that belies the real-world danger.
Why Date Labels Matter More Than You Think
Food expiration dates aren’t suggestions. They’re science-backed deadlines. When a product like spring rolls — which contain perishable duck meat and dairy-based dip — is mislabeled, it means consumers could be eating spoiled food. Bacteria like Listeria or Salmonella don’t care about marketing calendars. The Food Standards Agency received multiple reports from shoppers who’d bought the product in late November and were stunned to find it still "good" according to the label. One mother in Leeds told Which? she’d served the rolls to her toddler after checking the date, only to realize the truth after a neighbor’s social media post.
Allergens in the Shadows: Tesco’s Mustard Trap
Just days earlier, on November 24, Tesco issued a far more urgent recall: its 300g Celery, Fruit and Nut Salad contained undeclared mustard. Mustard isn’t just a condiment — it’s a top allergen. For people with severe allergies, even trace amounts can trigger anaphylaxis. The affected batch, sold between July 13 and October 17, 2025, had already reached homes across the UK. The Government of Jersey added the recall to its own database, showing how these problems ripple beyond mainland Britain.
Why wasn’t mustard listed? The supplier, unnamed by Tesco, apparently used a mustard-based dressing that wasn’t properly declared in the final ingredient panel. It’s a common oversight in complex supply chains — but one with life-or-death consequences. The Food Standards Agency recorded over 200 allergy-related incidents in the UK last year, and nearly a third involved mislabeled ingredients from major retailers.
Morrisons’ Milk Mix-Up and the Quiet Apology
Back in September, Morrisons quietly recalled its Jolly Hog products — specifically those with a use-by date of September 28, 2025 — because of undeclared milk. The notice, posted on their website on September 18, 2025, was blunt: "Do not eat it. Return it for a full refund. No receipt needed." The company, officially Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited and headquartered in Bradford, emphasized that "no other products are affected."
But here’s the twist: milk is one of the most common allergens, and its omission in a product labeled "free from" or "natural" is especially alarming. The Food Standards Agency later confirmed this was one of at least seven major allergen-related recalls issued by UK supermarkets between July and November 2025. Morrisons didn’t disclose how the error occurred — whether it was a supplier miscommunication, a packaging line glitch, or human error in quality control. That silence speaks volumes.
A Pattern, Not a Fluke
This isn’t random. Between July and November 2025, the Food Standards Agency logged 17 food recalls tied to UK supermarkets. Twelve of them involved either allergen mislabeling or incorrect date codes. Sainsbury’s recalled JS Free From Breaded Mini Fillets for undeclared milk. Aldi pulled Ashfields beef steaks for the same reason. Even Tesco’s Free From Katsu Curry Meal Kit had milk listed as an ingredient — but not on the label. And Which?, the independent consumer group, noted that 80% of these errors occurred in products marketed as "free from" or "special diet" — the very items people with allergies trust the most.
What’s driving this? Supply chain complexity. Pressure to cut costs. Overworked quality control teams. And, perhaps, a dangerous assumption that consumers will notice if something "tastes off." But allergic reactions don’t wait for taste tests. And spoiled food doesn’t wait for expiration.
What’s Next? Regulation, Not Just Recalls
The Food Standards Agency says it’s "reviewing labeling protocols" — but that’s the same line they’ve used since 2020. The real question is why these errors keep happening. In Germany, manufacturers must submit digital ingredient declarations directly to a central database before packaging. In the UK, it’s still largely paper-based and self-reported. No audits. No penalties for minor oversights. Just recalls — after the fact.
Consumer advocates are pushing for mandatory barcode-linked ingredient tracking and real-time alerts to shoppers via apps. Imagine getting a push notification if you’ve bought a recalled product — even if you didn’t keep the receipt. That’s not science fiction. It’s already happening in Canada and Australia.
What Should You Do?
If you bought any of these products — Asda spring rolls, Tesco salad, Morrisons Jolly Hog, Sainsbury’s fillets, or Aldi steaks — don’t eat them. Return them. No receipt? No problem. The law says you’re entitled to a full refund. And if you’ve already eaten something and feel unwell? Call NHS 111. Don’t wait. Allergies don’t give second chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are allergen labeling errors so common in UK supermarkets?
Many suppliers provide ingredient lists in bulk formats that get misinterpreted during packaging line setup. Supermarkets often rely on third-party manufacturers who don’t update labels promptly after recipe changes. Between July and November 2025, 12 of 17 supermarket recalls involved allergens — with milk and mustard being the top two offenders. The system is still paper-heavy and lacks real-time verification.
How do I know if I’ve bought a recalled product?
Check the Food Standards Agency’s official website at food.gov.uk/news-alerts. You can search by product name, retailer, or date. Which? also maintains a public tracker updated weekly. If you’re unsure, call the retailer’s customer service line — they’re legally required to assist, even without a receipt.
Are these recalls getting worse, or are we just hearing about them more?
Both. The number of recalls has increased by 40% since 2022, according to Food Standards Agency data. But awareness has also grown. Consumer groups like Which? now publish detailed recall trackers, and social media spreads alerts faster than ever. Still, many people miss recalls entirely — especially if they don’t shop at the same store every week.
What happens to the recalled products?
They’re collected and destroyed under supervision by the Food Standards Agency. In 2024, over 2.3 million items were incinerated or rendered inedible after recalls. Retailers absorb the cost — but rarely face fines unless negligence is proven. Critics argue this creates little incentive for systemic change.
Can I sue if I got sick from a recalled product?
Yes — but it’s complicated. You’d need medical proof linking your illness to the product, plus evidence that the retailer failed to act responsibly. Most cases settle out of court. The Food Standards Agency doesn’t handle lawsuits, but its public records are often used as evidence. If you’re affected, contact Citizens Advice or a consumer rights solicitor.
Why don’t supermarkets use digital labels or QR codes?
Cost and legacy systems. Many packaging lines still use pre-printed labels from suppliers. Switching to QR codes that link to live ingredient databases would require investment in new printers, software, and staff training. Some smaller retailers are piloting it, but major chains say the ROI isn’t clear — even though 70% of consumers say they’d trust a QR-linked label more than printed text.