Greggs urgently recalls steak bakes over ‘health risk’ and warns shoppers ‘do NOT eat’
GREGGS have urgently recalled a batch of steak bakes over a “health risk” with shoppers warned to not eat it.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said that the food chain recalled Greggs 2 pack Steak Bake because it contains sulphites which are not declared on the label.
The reason for the recall is that the two steak bake packs contain not steak bakes – but sausage, bean and cheese melts instead, which contain sulphites.
These were incorrectly packed in Steak Bake packaging, the high street bakery chain confirmed.
The product is a possible health risk for anyone with a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites.
Sulphites can cause allergy-like symptoms in people with underlying asthma and allergic rhinitis.
If consumed, it can cause wheezing, a tight chest and a cough.
However, severe reactions can also include anaphylaxis – although this is rare according to Allergy UK.
The pack sized affected is 280g and has the best before date of May, 19 2025.
Greggs has confirmed that no other products, or batches of steak bakes are affected.
If you have bought this item, Greggs says you should not eat it, instead you should return the product to your nearest Iceland store for a full refund.
You will not need a receipt to do this, said the bakery chain.
In a statement, Greggs said: “This 2-pack product is exclusive to Iceland and therefore the recall is only applicable to product purchased from Iceland stores.
“No other products, date codes or batches are affected.
“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
What is an allergy alert?
Sometimes there will be a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold.
It might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).
Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect or if there is any other food allergy risk.
When there is a food allergy risk, the FSA will issue an Allergy Alert.
The signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis
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.
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 2nd adrenaline auto-injector.
Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better.
Sources: Allergy UK, NHS