Major British department store recalls product that poses health risk to some consumers - 'Can be life-threatening'

"This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents."

Harvey Nichols Lustrous Hazelnuts

Pack size: 175g

Batch codes: 231012, 231017, 230926 and 240228

Best before: September 30, 2024 and October 30, 2024

The FSA continued: "Harvey Nichols is recalling the above product from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.

"The company has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product."

Harvey Nichols told customers: "This product may contain hazelnuts which have been coated in white chocolate instead of dark chocolate.

"Do not consume the product. Please return the affected product to the store for a full refund, receipt not required."

Harvey Nichols has seven stores within the UK and Ireland, including five large-format stores in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester and two small-format stores in Bristol and Dublin.

The department store chain apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused and told them they could contact Harvey Nichols for further information at customerservices@harveynichols.com or +44 (0) 20 72018088.

The FSA explained why food recalls occur. While they do not happen often, they must be taken seriously when they do.

The FSA said: "Sometimes there will be a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold.

"Then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product).

"Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect or if there is any other food allergy risk. When there is a food allergy risk, the FSA will issue an Allergy Alert."

Allergy UK provides important information on cow's milk allergy in adults, with information on immediate allergy (IgE mediated), delayed allergy (non-IgE mediated) and intolerance reactions.

The experts explained: "Immediate allergy (IgE-mediated) is quick to appear and caused by the immunoglobulin E antibody. Typically, these allergic symptoms happen within minutes of consuming cow’s milk or up to two hours afterwards. This type of reaction is described as IgE-mediated food allergy. This is the most common type in adults. In some adults with mild IgE-mediated milk allergy, a period of prolonged and strict avoidance may result in the allergy becoming more severe."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• 'I need to find these!' Britons are intrigued by Marks and Spencer's latest fruits
• Aldi introduces a range of branded tipples for the first time at a budget price
• Nestlé launches brand new treat with nostalgic nod to British 'staple' dessert

In terms of an IgE (immediate) mediated allergic reaction to cow’s milk, "signs and symptoms usually occur within minutes of contact with cow’s milk, but can also occur up to one hour later".

"Most allergic reactions are mild but they can also be moderate or severe. Anaphylaxis (pronounced ana-fil-laxis) is the most severe form of allergic reaction which can be life-threatening.

"Mild to moderate symptoms include an itchy mouth, tongue and throat, swelling of the lips, around the eyes or face, a red raised itchy rash (often called nettle rash, hives or urticaria), vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, and a runny nose and sneezing."

Allergy UK gave a crucial warning about anaphylaxis: "Any one or more of the following symptoms are a sign of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and should be treated as a medical emergency. If available, adrenaline should be given without delay and an ambulance called with the call operator informed that it is anaphylaxis.

"Severe symptoms of anaphylaxis include swelling of the tongue and/or throat, difficulty in swallowing or speaking or change in voice (hoarse voice), a wheeze (whistling noise) or persistent cough, difficult or noisy breathing, and dizziness, collapse, loss of consciousness (due to a drop in blood pressure)."

This comes as supermarkets extend their product recall as more products are affected by salmonella.