Tesco has issued an urgent product recall for one of its popular ready meals after discovering it contains undeclared wheat, creating a potentially serious health hazard for thousands of shoppers with specific dietary requirements.
Supermarket Withdraws Special Fried Rice
The supermarket giant confirmed that its Tesco Special Fried Rice (350g) has been immediately withdrawn from sale after wheat was found to be present in the product without being declared on the packaging label. This labelling oversight means customers with wheat-related conditions could unknowingly consume the ingredient, triggering adverse health reactions.
Serious Health Implications
Food safety authorities have warned that this labelling error presents a genuine danger to anyone with an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, the protein contained within wheat. The risk extends particularly to those diagnosed with coeliac disease, who must strictly avoid gluten to prevent symptoms ranging from digestive discomfort to more severe systemic reactions.
Wheat ranks among the most prevalent food allergens, and reactions can vary significantly between individuals. Mild responses might include itching, hives and swelling, while more severe cases can involve stomach pain, vomiting and breathing difficulties that require immediate medical attention.
For individuals with coeliac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can provoke an immune response that damages the intestinal lining. This can lead to symptoms including bloating, diarrhoea and persistent fatigue, with continued exposure potentially causing longer-term health complications and nutritional deficiencies.
Immediate Action Required
The affected product carries a use-by date of 02 February 2026. Tesco is strongly urging customers to thoroughly check their refrigerators and freezers for this specific item. In an official allergy alert published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), authorities confirmed that wheat (gluten) represents the allergen involved and verified that the product is being recalled from consumers.
Tesco has implemented comprehensive notification procedures, contacting relevant allergy support organisations who will inform their members about the recall. The supermarket has also distributed a formal recall notice to shoppers, clearly explaining why the product is being withdrawn and providing detailed instructions about appropriate next steps for those who have purchased it.
Return and Refund Procedure
Customers who have bought the Tesco Special Fried Rice and have a wheat or gluten allergy, intolerance, or coeliac disease are strongly advised against consuming the product. Instead, Tesco recommends returning it to any Tesco store where shoppers will receive a full refund without needing to provide a receipt.
The FSA clarified that allergy alerts like this one are issued when food products present safety concerns that warrant removal from sale, either through withdrawal from shelves or recall from customers. Regulatory action can be taken when allergy labelling is absent, incorrect, or when any other food allergy risk emerges that could endanger public health.
Growing Scrutiny on Allergen Labelling
This recall, listed under official reference FSA-AA-08-2026, occurs amid increasing scrutiny of allergen labelling practices across the supermarket and food manufacturing sectors. Recent months have witnessed a series of similar recalls connected to missing or inaccurate ingredient information, highlighting ongoing challenges in food safety compliance.
Shoppers seeking additional details about this specific recall can access Tesco's customer contact page through their official website. The incident serves as a timely reminder for all consumers with food allergies to remain vigilant about checking product labels, even when purchasing from trusted retailers and familiar brands.
