**Popular Chilli Sauce Withdrawn from UK Supermarkets due to Undeclared Peanut Ingredient**
A widely consumed chilli sauce has been hastily withdrawn from supermarket shelves across the United Kingdom following concerns over a potentially life-threatening allergy risk. Shoppers are being advised to exercise caution and check their cupboards after Laoganma Black Bean Chilli Sauce was identified as containing peanuts not listed on its packaging. This omission could pose a considerable danger to anyone living with a peanut allergy.
Laoganma Black Bean Chilli Sauce, a staple in many households for its bold flavour, is distributed by multiple large retailers, including Sainsbury’s. The affected product is sold in 280g jars and can be identified by the batch code 18232, with a best before date of 8 March 2026. Undeclared allergens, particularly peanuts, are a serious concern as they can trigger symptoms ranging from mild skin irritation or stomach discomfort to, in rare but severe cases, anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction requiring urgent medical attention.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA), the government body responsible for food safety across the country, has issued an urgent recall notice. Their advice is unequivocal: anyone who has purchased the above batch and is allergic to peanuts should not consume the sauce. Customers are instructed to return the product to the supermarket for a full refund, even if the product remains unopened.
Fortune Foods, the manufacturer behind Laoganma Black Bean Chilli Sauce, released an apology to consumers and emphasised it is taking immediate action to improve its labelling and internal quality assurance. The statement read: “We deeply regret this incident and are taking immediate steps to strengthen our labelling and quality control procedures to prevent a recurrence.” They have encouraged customers seeking more information or reassurances to contact their customer service team.
This latest incident has prompted renewed attention towards allergy awareness and food labelling in retail environments. Many advocacy groups have long urged the food industry to maintain high standards of transparency, noting that even a single oversight on an ingredients list has the potential to put lives at risk. Shoppers with allergies are now advised to stay vigilant, always read packaging details, and keep abreast of recall announcements both online and in store.
Retailers affected by the recall are displaying prominent notices in their stores and on their websites. The FSA and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute both maintain updated lists of current food recalls, and these organisations are considered reliable sources for the latest information.
This chilli sauce recall is not the only product withdrawal making headlines this week. Lidl has taken the precautionary step of recalling Harvest Basket Hash Browns due to the possible presence of metal fragments, which could cause injury if consumed. This recall affects the 750g frozen packs, specifically with batch number 5144L and a best before date of 24 May 2027.
In addition, Lidl has also issued a warning over its Alesto Raw Fruit and Nut Bars amidst fears that some batches might be contaminated with plastic. The affected bars have best before dates in November and December 2025. Meanwhile, specialist health food retailer Grape Tree has recalled its Raw Unsalted Macadamia Nuts after routine testing discovered a batch contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E.coli, a bacterium that can cause serious gastrointestinal illness.
Food safety remains an ongoing concern for consumers and retailers alike. With the increased frequency of recalls, experts are calling for more rigorous supply chain checks and greater consumer education to mitigate health risks associated with manufacturing errors or contamination.
Customers looking for the latest guidance on food safety are advised to refer to the FSA or Trading Standards websites, as well as watching out for in-store notifications. Those affected by any of the recent recalls can obtain a full refund by returning the product to the shop, and contact the respective customer service teams for further support, underlining the importance of consumer rights and protections within the UK’s food retail sector.