Chemical contaminant or residue: food recalls in the United Kingdom
23 official food recall notices published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the United Kingdom for the reason “Chemical contaminant or residue” (Shelfpedia classification of the official reason), newest first. Each notice links to the official page.
By reason
By year
Notices
23 notices, newest first.
- 6 February 2026publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Danone recalls several Aptamil and Cow & Gate First Infant Milk and Follow on Milk formula products because of the possible presence of cereulide (toxin)
Official wording (English):
The possible presence of cereulide (toxin) in the products listed above. Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Cereulide is highly heat stable meaning it is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, or when making the infant milk according to NHS guidelines. If…
- 6 February 2026publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Danone recalls several Aptamil and Cow & Gate First Infant Milk and Follow on Milk formula products sold in Northern Ireland because of the possible presence of cereulide (toxin)
Official wording (English):
The possible presence of cereulide (toxin) in the products listed above. Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Cereulide is highly heat stable meaning it is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, or when making the infant milk according to NHS guidelines. If…
- 23 January 2026publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Danone recalls Aptamil First Infant Formula because cereulide (toxin) has been found in this batch
Official wording (English):
The presence of cereulide (toxin) makes this product unsafe to consume. Cereulide is a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Cereulide is highly heat stable meaning it is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, or when making the infant milk according to NHS guidelines. If…
- 28 August 2025publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
La Sovrana recall Vittoria Friarielli alla Napoletana because of Clostridium botulinum
Official wording (English):
The presence of botulism in the above product. Botulinum toxin may cause a serious form of food poisoning called botulism and can be fatal. Symptoms caused by this organism include, feeling sick, being sick (vomiting), stomach cramps, diarrhoea or constipation, drooping eyelids, blurred or double…
- 29 January 2025publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners recalls a small range of soft drinks as a precaution because of elevated levels of Chlorate
Official wording (English):
This product may contain elevated levels of chlorate. This poses a low food safety concern, especially when consumed only occasionally. However adverse health effects cannot be ruled out for consumers sensitive to Chlorate, in particular young children and consumers with pre-existing medical…
- 3 January 2024publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Reckitt recalls two infant formula powders because of the possible presence of Cronobacter sakazakii
Official wording (English):
The potential presence of Cronobacter sakazakii in the products listed above. Symptoms caused by Cronobacter sakazakii usually include fever and diarrhoea, and in severe cases may lead to sepsis or meningitis which include symptoms in infants including poor feeding, irritability, temperature…
- 9 December 2022publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Co-op recalls Co-op Anchovies in olive oil because it contains histamine
Official wording (English):
Histamine can trigger an immune system response resulting in symptoms such as diarrhoea, shortness of breath, headaches, or skin irritation
- 25 August 2022publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Ardo NV recalls Ardo Fruitberry mix because Hepatitis A has been found in the product.
Official wording (English):
This product is contaminated with Hepatitis A. Symptoms caused by Hepatitis A usually include fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, dark-coloured urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin).
- 14 November 2021publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Dorset Oysters recalls Dorset Oysters because of possible contamination with norovirus
Official wording (English):
The possible presence of norovirus in the products listed above. Symptoms caused by norovirus typically include sudden onset nausea, projectile vomiting, diarrhoea and fever but can also include abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus can also lead to dehydration, especially in young children…
- 12 November 2021publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Porthilly Shellfish recalls oysters from Camel Estuary, Cornwall because of possible contamination with norovirus
Official wording (English):
The possible presence of norovirus in the products listed above. Symptoms caused by norovirus typically include sudden onset nausea, projectile vomiting, diarrhoea and fever but can also include abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus can also lead to dehydration, especially in young children…
- 14 May 2021publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Marks and Spencer recalls Stuffed Medjool Date Selection because of possible contamination with Hepatitis A
Official wording (English):
This product might be contaminated with Hepatitis A. Symptoms caused by Hepatitis A usually include fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, dark-coloured urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin).
- 13 April 2021publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Sainsbury's recalls Taste the Difference Medjool Dates because of possible contamination with Hepatitis A
Official wording (English):
These products might be contaminated with Hepatitis A. Symptoms caused by Hepatitis A usually include fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, dark-coloured urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin).
- 1 April 2021publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Dunnes Stores recalls Irish Turkey Breast Crown with Prime Wings because of incorrect cooking instructions
Official wording (English):
Following the incorrect cooking instructions on the pack could lead to inadequate cooking of the product, making it unsafe for consumers.
- 15 January 2021publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Mars Petcare UK recalls a range of dog food products because of high levels of Vitamin D
Official wording (English):
High levels of vitamin D fed to a pet over a short period (weeks/months) should not cause undue concern. Over a longer period of feeding, ingestion of elevated levels can lead to potential dog health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure, and dogs may exhibit…
- 4 December 2020publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Lactalis Nestlé Chilled Dairy UK recalls Nescafé Shakissimo Espresso Latte because of contamination with cleaning solution
Official wording (English):
The product has been contaminated with cleaning solution containing hydrogen peroxide which may make the product unsafe to drink.
- 17 June 2020publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Primula updates recall of all Primula Cheese tubes because of Clostridium botulinum
Official wording (English):
Manufacturing controls that could potentially affect the safety of the products listed above could not be demonstrated satisfactorily by the company. The issue relates to controlling factors to prevent the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin may cause a serious…
- 16 June 2020publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Primula recalls all Primula Cheese tubes because of Clostridium botulinum
Official wording (English):
Manufacturing controls that could potentially affect the safety of the products listed above could not be demonstrated satisfactorily by the company. The issue relates to controlling factors to prevent the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin may cause a serious…
- 28 January 2020publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Lidl GB recalls Kania Oregano because of the possible presence of high levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Official wording (English):
Prolonged consumption of pyrrolizidine alkaloids at high levels can lead to liver disease.
- 11 October 2019publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Pasco Foods recalls several varieties of cooking sauces because of a lack of microbiological controls
Official wording (English):
Manufacturing controls that could potentially adversely affect the safety of the products listed above could not be demonstrated satisfactorily by the company. The issue relates to controlling factors to prevent the growth and toxin production of Clostridium Botulinum. Botulinum toxin may cause a…
- 22 March 2019publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Hill’s Pet Nutrition extends its recall of selected canned dog food because it may contain high levels of vitamin D
Official wording (English):
High levels of vitamin D fed to a pet over a short period (weeks/months) should not cause concern. Over a longer period of feeding, ingestion of elevated levels can lead to potential health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure, and dogs may exhibit symptoms such as…
- 27 February 2019publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
The Condiment Company recalls Hunter & Gather Avocado Oil Mayonnaise due to a lack of microbiological controls
Official wording (English):
Manufacturing controls that could potentially affect the safety of the product listed above could not be demonstrated satisfactorily by the company. The issue relates to controlling factors to prevent the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin may cause a serious form…
- 1 February 2019publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Hill’s Pet Nutrition recalls a range of its selected dog food because it may contain high levels of Vitamin D
Official wording (English):
High levels of vitamin D fed to a pet over a short period (weeks/months) should not cause concern. Over a longer period of feeding, ingestion of elevated levels can lead to potential health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure, and dogs may exhibit symptoms such as…
- 17 July 2018publishedFSAProduct recallChemical contaminant or residue
Health Leads UK Ltd recalls Bitter Apricot Kernels because packs contain high levels of Hydrocyanic Acid (Cyanide)
Official wording (English):
Taking quantities of the product could lead to high levels of Hydrocyanic Acid (Cyanide) being consumed. Consumption of Hydrocyanic Acid (Cyanide) can lead to acute toxicity in some individuals. Symptoms of acute toxicity include headache, dizziness, mental confusion, stupor and cyanosis with…
Sources: openFDA (U.S. FDA food enforcement reports), CC0 · Health Canada / CFIA Recalls and Safety Alerts, Open Government Licence – Canada · Food Standards Agency food alerts, OGL v3 · RappelConso (DGCCRF), Licence Ouverte 2.0. Shares and counts: Shelfpedia calculations.