Two of Britain's leading supermarket chains, Tesco and Lidl, have issued urgent food recall warnings for popular products following safety alerts from the Food Standards Agency. Customers are being advised to return affected items immediately or dispose of them due to potential health risks.
Immediate Action Required for Shoppers
The recall affects Tesco Special Fried Rice and Lidl's Snaktastic Multigrain Bites Sour Cream & Black Pepper. Both retailers have published official recall notices alongside the Food Standards Agency, urging customers to take immediate action if they have purchased these products.
Lidl's Snack Recall: Choking Hazard Warning
Lidl is recalling its Snaktastic Multigrain Bites Sour Cream & Black Pepper (150g pack, batch code 207 345, best before April 4, 2026) due to the potential presence of foil foreign bodies. The Food Standards Agency has issued a specific warning that these foil pieces may present a choking hazard to all consumers.
According to the official FSA statement: "Lidl GB is recalling the above-mentioned product due to the potential presence of foil foreign bodies, which may present a choking hazard. If you have bought the above product, we advise you not to eat it. Customers are asked to return this product to the nearest store, where a full refund will be given."
Tesco's Fried Rice: Allergen Alert
Tesco is withdrawing its Special Fried Rice (350g pack, best before February 2, 2026) because it contains undeclared wheat. This presents a significant danger to anyone with wheat or gluten allergies or intolerances, including those with coeliac disease.
The joint statement from Tesco and the FSA advises: "If you have purchased the affected product and have an allergy or intolerance to wheat, please do not eat it and instead return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required."
What Customers Should Do
Shoppers who have purchased either of these products are being urged to:
- Check their purchases against the product details and batch codes provided
- Immediately stop consuming the affected items
- Return the products to any Tesco or Lidl store for a full refund
- Dispose of the items safely if unable to return them to store
Both supermarkets have confirmed that refunds will be provided without requiring receipts, making the return process as straightforward as possible for concerned customers.
Food Safety Protocols in Action
These recalls demonstrate the food safety protocols operating within the UK retail sector. When potential hazards are identified, retailers work closely with the Food Standards Agency to implement immediate recall procedures to protect consumer health.
The different nature of the hazards - one affecting specific allergy sufferers and the other posing a general choking risk - highlights the varied safety considerations that food retailers must monitor constantly.
Customers with any concerns about these products or other food safety issues are advised to contact the retailers directly or consult the Food Standards Agency website for the latest information.
