Food Alerts / Allergy Alerts - Undeclared allergen (prawn) found in prepackaged teriyaki crackers

Undeclared allergen (prawn) found in prepackaged teriyaki crackers

Issue Date	22.7.2016
Source of Information	UK Food Standards Agency and Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Food Product	Prepackaged teriyaki crackers
Product Name and Description	Product name: M&S Teriyaki Crackers Place of origin: UK Manufacturer: Marks and Spencer Net weight: 60 grams per pack Product code: 00796859 Best-before dates: Up to and including November 8, 2016
Reason For Issuing Alert	The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has learned through its Food Incident Surveillance System notices issued by the UK Food Standards Agency and Food Safety Authority of Ireland that the manufacturer concerned is recalling the above-mentioned teriyaki crackers as crustaceans (prawn), which can cause food allergies, are present in a small number of packs, but they are not declared on the food label.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety	The CFS immediately followed up with the Hong Kong importer/retailer concerned, Marks and Spencer (Asia Pacific) Limited, which confirmed that the affected product was imported and sold in its chain stores, and some 800 packs had already been sold. Upon notification by the UK manufacturer earlier, the importer/retailer concerned has immediately stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected product, and will dispose of all remaining stock. For the sake of prudence, the CFS has conducted sales checks at the chain's retail outlets concerned and so far no affected product was found available for sale. The CFS will alert the trade to the incident and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade	Stop selling the product concerned immediately. The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Advice to Consumers	Consumers who are allergic to prawns to stop consuming the product concerned. People should seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming it. Members of the public may call Marks and Spencer (Asia Pacific) Limited's hotline at 3656 2218 for enquiries during office hours about the recall.
Further Information	The CFS press release

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2016-7-22

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