Asda urgently recalls popular £2.20 chicken ready meal & issues ‘do not eat’ warning over health risk fears
ASDA has urgently recalled a popular chicken product over health risk fears.
The supermarket chain has urged customers to return the meal so they can claim a full refund.
ASDA Chicken Dinners is being recalled due to containing milk, egg, barley - as not stated on the label.
As a result of a packaging error, some packs contain ASDA Beef Dinners.
Anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk, egg, or gluten could be at risk.
The supermarket chain has also issued a point-of-scale notice to its customers, explaining why the product is being recalled.
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An FSA spokesman said: “Asda is recalling the above product from customers. 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.
“If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and/or egg and/or barley (gluten), do not eat it.
“Instead, return the product to the nearest Asda store for a refund, with or without a receipt.
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"For more information contact Asda Customer Relations on 0800 952 0101.”
What are my rights to a refund?
If you're returning a recalled product, your rights to get a refund depends on whether the fault makes the product unsafe.
Sometimes the business will repair the product, for example by fitting a new part. But this should be done for you.
If a fault makes a product unsafe to use — and it's difficult to correct the fault — the Consumer Guarantees Act says you might have the right to reject the product and claim a replacement or a refund.
You can read more about your rights concerning a recalled product in our guide.
The signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis + what to do
SYMPTOMS of an allergy usually occur within minutes of contact with with the offending food or trigger, but they can also come on up to one hour later.
Most allergic reactions are mild but they can also be moderate or severe.
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction which can be life threatening.
In some cases, anaphylaxis symptoms lead to collapse and unconsciousness and, on rare occasions, can be fatal so it's important to know how to recognise them and act quickly.
Mild to moderate symptoms include:
- Itchy mouth, tongue and throat
- Swelling of lips, around the eyes or face
- Red raised itchy rash (often called nettle rash, hives or urticaria)
- Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea
- Runny nose and sneezing
Severe symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Swelling of your throat and tongue
- Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast
- Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice
- Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing
- Feeling tired or confused
- Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting
- Skin that feels cold to the touch
- Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
Anaphylaxis and its symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency.
Follow these steps if you think you or someone you're with is having an anaphylactic reaction:
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions are included on the side of the injector.
- Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you're having an anaphylactic reaction.
- Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you're struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you're pregnant, lie on your left side).
- If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it's still in the skin.
- If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector.
Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better.
Sources: Allergy UK, NHS