The Knowledge
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30th September 2024On 20 September 2024 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued an urgent allergy advice regarding cross-contamination of peanut in certain mustard products, including mustard flour and mustard powder.
A list of products currently known to have been affected has been issued, and is updated by the FSA as and when new affected products are identified. In addition to the list of known products, the guidance from the FSA is for people with a peanut allergy to avoid all products that contain or may contain mustard, mustard seeds, mustard powder, or mustard flour until further notice. This includes:
- wholegrain mustard
- mustard used as a condiment or garnish
- spice mixes containing mustard
- fresh/chilled/frozen products containing mustard as an ingredient
- long shelf-life products containing mustard as an ingredient.
Because of the complications of this incident, it could continue for some time. Mustard is often used as an ingredient within spice powders, sauces, and marinades, and is therefore found in many parts of the food supply chain.
At least one food product is known to have been exported to Ireland, and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has produced its own guidance.
Your organisation may be involved in catering or supplying food, or looking after vulnerable people with allergies, and there are some practical steps you can take to help keep peanut allergy sufferers safe and informed.
- Check if any of your products or ingredients are listed on the FSA’s recall notices and remove any products that may contain contaminated mustard ingredients.
- If a product contains mustard, it should be labelled in bold because mustard is one of the 14 allergens which must be legally declared to consumers. You should ensure that your allergen information is up to date so you can inform consumers if a product contains, or may contain, mustard.
- Some food business operators have proactively issued their own statement regarding the presence of mustard and have advised customers which products to avoid. Consider how you are going to inform consumers, for example a notice clearly displayed in the premises or a statement on your organisation’s website or social media.
- Ensure your staff and volunteers have received suitable training about allergens, the law, and how to keep people with allergies safe, and that they are aware of the current danger to peanut allergy sufferers and know which products might be affected.
- If you are responsible for helping service users with eating out or ordering take aways, check with the food business operator for the presence of mustard. Many restaurants now publish an online allergen matrix, but these are not always correct or the most up to date, so it’s always best to ask.
- Familiarise yourself with the symptoms of anaphylaxis and what to do if someone in your care has an allergic reaction.
- For further information about allergies and how to support people with allergies, Allergy UK and Anaphylaxis UK have a range of resources.
- Sign up to allergy alerts for up-to-date information about this incident:
