Several popular products sold in hundreds of stores across Ireland are have been recalled before Christmas.
Supermarkets including Dunnes Stores, SuperValu, Marks and Spencer and Tesco are among the retailers where the impacted products were sold.
Some of the issues reported with the recalled products include allergen fears, the presence of sulphur dioxide and incorrect use-by dates.
Here are the food products recalled by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland so far in December:
Dunnes Stores olives
Dunnes Stores has recalled a product just days before Christmas as it could cause an allergic reaction for some consumers.
The Food Safety Authority issued the notice on Wednesday recalling a batch of Dunnes Stores Green Pitted Olives.
The product was recalled after the presence of Sulphur dioxide, which is not declared as an ingredient, was found in the olives.
The batch of olives affected are pack size 275g and have the use by date of 14.01.2022.
The FSAI said: “Sulphur dioxide was detected in the above batch of Dunnes Stores Green Pitted Olives.
“Sulphur dioxide is not declared on the list of ingredients. This may make the affected batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of sulphur dioxide or sulphites.
Denny sausages
Some of Ireland’s most popular sausages have been recalled after they were mislabelled with the incorrect use-by date.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued the notice on Tuesday - with the product sold in Supervalu and Dunnes.
The batch of Denny Gold Medal Skinless Pork Sausages labelled with the use-by date of January 29 should have been labelled with a use-by date of December 29.
In a statement, the FSAI said: “Denny is recalling the above batch of its Gold Medal Skinless 16 Pork Sausages due to an incorrect use-by date printed on the label on a small number of packs.
“The correct use-by date is 29 December 2021. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batch.”
Marks and Spencer bread
Marks and Spencer stores across Ireland are recalling a popular product over allergen fears.
Certain batches of the supermarket's own brand Made Without Wheat Gluten Free White Sourdough Cob are being recalled due to the possible presence of wheat flour.
This is not declared on the list of ingredients, which may make the batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of gluten or its constituents.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued the recall notice on Friday.
The products affected have a pack size of 400g; barcode number 00116626; and best before dates of December 19, 20, 21 or 22, 2021.
Iceland chicken
Batches of pre-cooked chicken slices were recalled from Iceland stores across Ireland last week.
According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, a number of batches have been found to contain an unauthorised pesticide called ethylene oxide.
It’s understood that the chemical is not authorised for use in foods that are sold in the EU.
The products affected by this recall are the Iceland 'ready to eat hot and spicy chicken breast slices' and the 'ready to eat sweet chilli slices'.
The implicated batches are identifiable by their use-by-date of 20/12/2021 and 21/12/2021 for the 115g packs of hot and spicy, and 20/12/2021 for the 115g packs of sweet chilli.
The FSAI has reassured customers that eating the contaminated products won’t pose an acute risk to their health.
However, health issues can occur if the chemical is ingested over a long period of time.
Tesco supplements
Tesco issued a recall earlier this month for a food supplement sold in Irish stores.
The products include Pregnancy Support, Menopause Support, High Strength Vitamin B Complex and Turmeric & Vitamin D supplements.
The supermarket chain is removing the items from their shelves after the presence of chloroethanol, which is a recognised reaction product of ethylene oxide, was identified in the products.
Ethylene oxide is a pesticide that is not permitted for use in foods sold in the EU but is approved for use by other countries outside the EU.
The FSAI said although the consumption of the contaminated product does not pose an acute risk to health, there is an increased risk if there is continued consumption of the contaminated food over a long period of time.
Therefore, exposure to this substance needs to be minimised.
Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in Tesco stores supplied with the implicated batches.
Beeline food supplement
A popular brand urgently recalled some of its products over the presence of an unauthorised pesticide this month.
Certain batches of Beeline food supplements are being recalled from the shelves of stores across Ireland.
The Effervescent Multivitamin + Minerals tablets and Vitamin D3 + Multivitamin Teenager tablets are among the products affected.
These are sold in a variety of Irish pharmacies nationwide and in supermarkets such as Dunnes Stores and SuperValu.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued the earlier in December after certain batches were found to contain the presence of the unauthorised pesticide ethylene oxide.
The Beeline Effervescent Multivitamin + Minerals tablets being recalled have a lot number of 012181QY, while the Vitamin D3 + Multivitamin Teenager tablets have the 012101Q3 lot number.
