On 25 November 2025, the Food Standards Agency issued two urgent food safety alerts that sent shockwaves through UK grocery shoppers — one for Asda Stores Limited and another for Tesco PLC. The alerts, posted on the FSA’s official website, forced immediate removal of products from shelves across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For Asda, it was the 10 Mini Duck Spring Rolls — festive party snacks now under a strict 'do not eat' warning. For Tesco, it was the Celery, Fruit and Nut Salad, pulled because of a dangerous omission: undeclared mustard. Both recalls were active as of 28 November, with no resolution date given. And here’s the thing — mustard allergies aren’t rare. They can kill.
What Happened and Why It Matters
The Food Standards Agency, based in London’s Aviation House, doesn’t issue recalls lightly. Its alerts are legally binding. The Asda product, marketed as seasonal holiday fare, was flagged for an unspecified food safety hazard. No details were released about contamination, but the agency’s tone was unmistakable: Don’t eat it. Meanwhile, Tesco’s salad was pulled for a far more predictable — yet equally deadly — reason: mustard. Not mentioned on the label. Not even a tiny ‘may contain’ warning. Just silence. That’s a breach of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, enforced in the UK under the Food Information Regulations 2014. Mustard is one of the 14 priority allergens. And for the 0.1% of the UK population with severe mustard allergies, even a trace can trigger anaphylaxis.LADbible’s 28 November report, which confirmed the full product name as ‘10 Mini Duck Spring Rolls’, added context: these weren’t just snacks. They were Christmas party staples. People bought them for gatherings. Kids ate them. Adults shared them at work parties. And now, they were deemed unsafe. The FSA didn’t just ask retailers to pull the product — it demanded consumers return them for full refunds. No receipt needed. No questions asked.
The Scale of the Recalls
Asda, a Walmart subsidiary with 631 UK stores and 135,000 employees, acted swiftly. By 26 November, all affected batches were off shelves. Tesco, with its 3,544 outlets and 264,000 staff, faced a far larger logistical challenge. The salad was sold in fresh produce sections nationwide — from high streets to hypermarkets. Neither company disclosed batch numbers, production dates, or factory locations. That’s unusual. Most recalls include at least a best-before code. But here, the FSA prioritized speed over precision — and for good reason.Mustard allergy incidents have risen 27% since 2020, according to FSA annual data. In 2024, allergy-related recalls accounted for 35% of all food alerts in the UK. That’s more than salmonella, listeria, or foreign objects combined. The problem isn’t just negligence. It’s systemic. Small suppliers, rushed labeling, automated packaging lines — all can miss a single ingredient. And when that ingredient is mustard, the consequences aren’t just legal. They’re life-or-death.
Who’s Affected — And What to Do
If you bought either product before 25 November 2025, stop eating it. Now. Don’t wait for symptoms. Don’t assume it’s ‘just a little’. Mustard can trigger reactions within minutes. If you’ve already eaten the salad and feel tightness in your throat, a rash, dizziness, or nausea — call 999 immediately. For those without symptoms, take the product back to any Asda or Tesco store. You’ll get a full refund, no questions asked. The FSA insists on this. And so should you.What’s missing? Details. No batch codes. No expiry dates. No production facility names. That’s frustrating — but not surprising. In fast-moving recalls, agencies often release alerts before traceability systems fully identify the affected runs. Still, consumers are left guessing: Was it the batch I bought? The FSA’s website allows users to mark alerts as ‘useful’ or ‘not useful’ — but no feedback metrics were published. That’s a transparency gap.
Why This Isn’t Just About Two Products
This isn’t an isolated incident. In 2023, a similar recall hit Sainsbury’s over undeclared celery in a ready meal. In 2022, Aldi pulled 15,000 packets of curry paste for missing sesame. The pattern is clear: as supermarkets rely more on third-party suppliers and automated labeling, human error creeps in. The FSA’s response — fast, firm, public — is exactly what it should be. But the deeper question remains: why are these errors still happening in 2025?Under the Food Safety Act 1990, companies can face unlimited fines and up to two years in prison for non-compliance. Yet, enforcement is reactive, not preventive. The FSA inspects about 1 in 10 food businesses annually. That’s not enough. And with inflation pushing retailers to cut costs, labeling checks are often the first to be trimmed. This recall isn’t just about duck rolls or salad. It’s about a system that’s still playing catch-up.
What’s Next?
The FSA will monitor both Asda and Tesco’s withdrawal progress. Full resolution requires documented proof that every affected item has been removed from shelves and returned to suppliers. That could take weeks. Meanwhile, the agency is likely reviewing its alert protocols. Could they include batch codes? Could they push for mandatory supplier audits? Possibly. But don’t expect changes overnight.What’s certain? The next time you open a pre-packaged salad or grab a snack for the office party, you’ll think twice. Because this time, it was mustard. Next time, it could be peanuts. Or eggs. Or gluten. And the label? It might not say a word.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I bought the recalled products?
The FSA hasn’t released batch numbers or expiry dates for either product, making self-identification difficult. If you purchased Asda’s 10 Mini Duck Spring Rolls or Tesco’s Celery, Fruit and Nut Salad between 1 November and 25 November 2025, assume it’s affected. Look for any packaging labeled with those exact product names. Return it regardless — refunds are guaranteed.
Is mustard really dangerous enough to warrant a recall?
Yes. Mustard is one of the 14 regulated allergens in the UK. Reactions can range from hives to anaphylactic shock — which can be fatal within minutes. Around 60,000 people in the UK have diagnosed mustard allergies, and many more have undiagnosed sensitivity. Even trace amounts from cross-contamination can trigger severe reactions. That’s why undeclared mustard is treated as a critical safety breach.
Why didn’t the FSA name the production facility?
The FSA often withholds supplier details during active recalls to avoid premature blame and to protect ongoing investigations. Identifying the exact factory can take days or weeks, especially if multiple suppliers are involved. The priority is consumer safety — not public attribution. Once the investigation closes, the agency may release additional details.
Are other supermarkets affected?
No. The FSA alerts specifically name only Asda and Tesco. Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Aldi were not involved in these particular recalls. However, the same products may be sold under different brands. If you bought a similar duck spring roll or salad from another chain, check the packaging carefully for the exact product names listed in the FSA alerts.
What happens if I ignore the recall and get sick?
If you suffer harm after consuming a recalled product, you may be eligible to claim compensation from the retailer or supplier under consumer protection law. More importantly, seek immediate medical help. Anaphylaxis requires epinephrine and emergency care. Delaying treatment can be fatal. The FSA encourages reporting adverse reactions via its online portal to help track patterns and improve future alerts.
Will this change how labels are checked in the future?
The FSA is expected to review its oversight of allergen labeling, especially for multi-ingredient ready meals. Industry experts suggest mandatory third-party audits for high-risk products and digital barcode verification systems could reduce errors. But without new legislation or funding, changes will be slow. For now, the burden remains on consumers to read labels — and on retailers to get them right.
