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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a public warning to consumers, particularly those with food allergies and intolerances, about certain imported Dubai-style chocolate products that may pose a serious health risk.
Following joint efforts with local authorities, the FSA has identified that some Dubai-style chocolate products currently being sold in UK shops and online marketplaces may not meet the country’s strict food safety standards. These items may lack a full ingredients list and essential information about the 14 regulated allergens.
While most Dubai-style chocolates available in the UK are safe, the FSA warns that some imported products were not intended for sale in the UK and could contain unpermitted additives and colours. “Everybody should be able to trust that the food they buy is safe and what it says it is,” the agency stated.
UK food law requires that all products sold in the country include clear labelling in English, containing:
Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Advisor to the FSA, highlighted the importance of buying from reputable UK retailers:
“Some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don’t meet our standards and could be a food safety risk. If you are looking to buy Dubai-style chocolate, we advise sticking with trusted retailers, like the ones you’d use for your weekly shop, as products are more likely to be made for UK consumers and so are safe to eat.”
The FSA is currently sampling and surveying these products to determine the scale of the issue. In the meantime, consumers are encouraged to carefully check labels and report any suspicious or mislabelled products to their local authority.
Anyone who has purchased a questionable product, especially one lacking proper allergen information, is strongly advised not to consume it.
For more information on food allergies and staying safe, visit the FSA’s official website at food.gov.uk
SOURCE: food.gov.uk
