Latest news with #RobinMay
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Food safety warning for certain Dubai-style chocolate bars that could be deadly
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has identified a number of products that pose a health risk Dubai-style chocolate is the hottest food trend right now. The TikTok -viral sweet is so popular that UK retailers have been launching their own versions to keep up with demand. However, it seems that not all versions of the pistachio-filled snack may be safe to consume, as some imports to the UK may cause a deadly reaction in those who suffer from allergies. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is now urging anyone with allergies to exercise caution when it comes to the viral snack, as it may not have been intended for sale in the UK, leading to a lack of full allergen labelling or ingredients list. The food watchdog is since said to have "identified" a number of products that do not meet the UK's high food safety standards, with concerns they may contain additives and colours which aren't allowed on the UK market. Chief Scientific Advisor to the FSA, Professor Robin May, has said that "the vast majority" of food in the country is safe, although some imported Dubai-style chocolate products "don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies." To help ensure customers are fully protected, the FSA is working with the local authority in each case to ensure follow-up action is taken, while also sharing concerns with businesses and online retailers to help remove the potentially deadly products from shelves. The food watchdog is also now "surveying" and "sampling" the affected products to work out the scale of the issue, while also working with allergy charities to raise awareness of the potential risk with consumers. By UK law, imported foods intended for sale must contain all the ingredients and clearly highlight any of the 14 regulated allergens. Products sold in the UK should have labels in English that contain information such as the name of the food (milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling), the full list of ingredients that emphasise allergens, the weight in grams, a best before or use by date and the name and address of the company responsible for the information. Profession Robin May said: "The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "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." Consumers who find it difficult to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren't have now been urged to not buy the product, especially if they do have a food allergy or intolerance of any kind. The advisor further highlighted that customers who have concerns about Dubai-chocolate on sale should report it to their local authority. Dubai-style chocolate was first created in 2021 by Fix Dessert founder Sarah Hamouda. Inspired by her pregnancy cravings at the time, it is known for boasting a filling made of pistachio cream and knafeh - a crispy shredded filo pastry used to make baklava. The luxurious chocolate quickly became the centre of attention on TikTok in 2023, after an ASMR food influencer shared herself eating the treat from the Fix Dessert chocolatier in a video that racked up millions of views. To meet demand for the viral treat, many UK retailers have launched their own versions, with Aldi just announcing that its very own Dubai-style Chocolate for £3.99 that landed in stores yesterday, June 12.
North Wales Chronicle
13-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Dubai-style chocolate 'do not eat' warning issued by FSA
Some of the imported Dubai-style products could pose a risk to consumers with allergies, the food safety watchdog warned. Those with food allergies should be careful when buying the popular chocolate as some imported products may not be intended for sale in the UK and could lack a full ingredients list or allergen labelling, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said. The watchdog said it had identified a number of products that posed a health risk to consumers with allergies. Some of these products may also contain additives and colours which are not allowed on the UK market, it added. The FSA said it was surveying and sampling the products to work out the scale of the issue, and working with allergy charities in the meantime to raise awareness of the risk with consumers. It said that 'most' Dubai-style chocolate available in UK shops was safe. The FSA said: 'If in doubt, don't buy it and report any concerns to your local authority.' By law, labels must list all ingredients and clearly highlight any of the 14 regulated allergens. The FSA advised consumers to look out for labelling details to check whether a product is intended for sale here. By law, products made to UK standards should have labels in English containing the name of the food – for example, milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling – a list of ingredients with allergens emphasised, the weight of the food in grams and a best before or use by date. Labels must also include the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information. If the food is not from the UK or EU, the name and address of the importer must be included. Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, said: 'The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies. '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. 'As it's difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren't, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you're certain it's intended for sale here. 'UK law requires food labels to highlight any of 14 allergens present in the product, but some imported products may not do this. You can find more information on 'If you have concerns about chocolate that you see on sale, don't buy it and instead report it to your local authority. We are working closely with local authorities to make sure that any unsafe products are removed from sale as swiftly as possible.' Anyone who has concerns about products they have purchased should not eat them, especially if they have food allergies or intolerances.
Rhyl Journal
13-06-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Dubai-style chocolate 'do not eat' warning issued by FSA
Some of the imported Dubai-style products could pose a risk to consumers with allergies, the food safety watchdog warned. Those with food allergies should be careful when buying the popular chocolate as some imported products may not be intended for sale in the UK and could lack a full ingredients list or allergen labelling, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said. The watchdog said it had identified a number of products that posed a health risk to consumers with allergies. Some of these products may also contain additives and colours which are not allowed on the UK market, it added. The FSA said it was surveying and sampling the products to work out the scale of the issue, and working with allergy charities in the meantime to raise awareness of the risk with consumers. It said that 'most' Dubai-style chocolate available in UK shops was safe. The FSA said: 'If in doubt, don't buy it and report any concerns to your local authority.' By law, labels must list all ingredients and clearly highlight any of the 14 regulated allergens. The FSA advised consumers to look out for labelling details to check whether a product is intended for sale here. By law, products made to UK standards should have labels in English containing the name of the food – for example, milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling – a list of ingredients with allergens emphasised, the weight of the food in grams and a best before or use by date. Labels must also include the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information. If the food is not from the UK or EU, the name and address of the importer must be included. Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, said: 'The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies. '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. 'As it's difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren't, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you're certain it's intended for sale here. 'UK law requires food labels to highlight any of 14 allergens present in the product, but some imported products may not do this. You can find more information on 'If you have concerns about chocolate that you see on sale, don't buy it and instead report it to your local authority. We are working closely with local authorities to make sure that any unsafe products are removed from sale as swiftly as possible.' Anyone who has concerns about products they have purchased should not eat them, especially if they have food allergies or intolerances.
Powys County Times
13-06-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Dubai-style chocolate 'do not eat' warning issued by FSA
Shoppers who purchased some Dubai-style chocolate products have been warned the food may not meet Food Standards Agency (FSA) standards. Some of the imported Dubai-style products could pose a risk to consumers with allergies, the food safety watchdog warned. Those with food allergies should be careful when buying the popular chocolate as some imported products may not be intended for sale in the UK and could lack a full ingredients list or allergen labelling, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said. The watchdog said it had identified a number of products that posed a health risk to consumers with allergies. Some of these products may also contain additives and colours which are not allowed on the UK market, it added. The FSA said it was surveying and sampling the products to work out the scale of the issue, and working with allergy charities in the meantime to raise awareness of the risk with consumers. It said that 'most' Dubai-style chocolate available in UK shops was safe. The FSA said: 'If in doubt, don't buy it and report any concerns to your local authority.' By law, labels must list all ingredients and clearly highlight any of the 14 regulated allergens. The FSA advised consumers to look out for labelling details to check whether a product is intended for sale here. Recommended Reading: By law, products made to UK standards should have labels in English containing the name of the food – for example, milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling – a list of ingredients with allergens emphasised, the weight of the food in grams and a best before or use by date. Labels must also include the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information. If the food is not from the UK or EU, the name and address of the importer must be included. Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, said: 'The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies. '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. 'As it's difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren't, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you're certain it's intended for sale here. 'UK law requires food labels to highlight any of 14 allergens present in the product, but some imported products may not do this. You can find more information on 'If you have concerns about chocolate that you see on sale, don't buy it and instead report it to your local authority. We are working closely with local authorities to make sure that any unsafe products are removed from sale as swiftly as possible.'
Glasgow Times
13-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Dubai-style chocolate 'do not eat' warning issued by FSA
Some of the imported Dubai-style products could pose a risk to consumers with allergies, the food safety watchdog warned. Those with food allergies should be careful when buying the popular chocolate as some imported products may not be intended for sale in the UK and could lack a full ingredients list or allergen labelling, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said. The watchdog said it had identified a number of products that posed a health risk to consumers with allergies. Some of these products may also contain additives and colours which are not allowed on the UK market, it added. The FSA said it was surveying and sampling the products to work out the scale of the issue, and working with allergy charities in the meantime to raise awareness of the risk with consumers. It said that 'most' Dubai-style chocolate available in UK shops was safe. The FSA said: 'If in doubt, don't buy it and report any concerns to your local authority.' By law, labels must list all ingredients and clearly highlight any of the 14 regulated allergens. The FSA advised consumers to look out for labelling details to check whether a product is intended for sale here. Recommended Reading: By law, products made to UK standards should have labels in English containing the name of the food – for example, milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling – a list of ingredients with allergens emphasised, the weight of the food in grams and a best before or use by date. Labels must also include the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information. If the food is not from the UK or EU, the name and address of the importer must be included. Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, said: 'The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies. '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. 'As it's difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren't, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you're certain it's intended for sale here. 'UK law requires food labels to highlight any of 14 allergens present in the product, but some imported products may not do this. You can find more information on 'If you have concerns about chocolate that you see on sale, don't buy it and instead report it to your local authority. We are working closely with local authorities to make sure that any unsafe products are removed from sale as swiftly as possible.' Anyone who has concerns about products they have purchased should not eat them, especially if they have food allergies or intolerances.
