Prepackaged Scotch eggs may contain allergen (gluten)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 26) noted that a kind of prepackaged Scotch eggs imported from the United Kingdom which was declared as gluten free on its food label, might contain gluten, a known allergen. Consumers who are allergic to gluten are advised not to eat the concerned product. The trade should also stop using it immediately.
       

Product details are as follows:
      
Product name: 2 Gluten Free Scotch Eggs
Brand: Marks & Spencer
Importer/retailer: Marks & Spencer
Net weight: 227 grams per box
Unique Product Code: 00975339
Use-by dates: Up to and including January 29, 2018
       
"The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice issued by the UK Food Standards Agency and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that the above-mentioned product which was declared as gluten free is under recall because a small number of packs of the affected product might contain gluten, a known allergen."
       
Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately followed up with the local importer/retailer concerned which confirmed that the affected product was imported and sold in its chain stores. The importer has stopped sale, removed from shelves, and initiated a recall of the affected product. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 3656 2277 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.
       
"Gluten is a known food allergen. Those who are allergic to it may develop symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma and rash upon consumption. In severe cases anaphylactic shock may even develop," the spokesman said.
       
The spokesman advised consumers who are allergic to gluten not to eat the product, and to seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after taking the food.
      
According to Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), if any person falsely describes food or misleads as to the nature, substance or quality of the food on a label of the food sold by him or her, he or she shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
       

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is on-going.
 
 
Ends/Friday, January 26, 2018