The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent allergy alert for Minton and Donello Organic White Orzo after the product was found to contain undeclared wheat (gluten), posing a possible health risk to anyone with an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten or with coeliac disease.
Recall Details and Affected Batches
The recall covers the 500g pack size with batch codes 78850, 78850, and 78850. Best before dates include January 31, May 2, and May 24, 2027. The product is labelled as "Orzo White Rice" despite orzo being a form of pasta, and wheat (gluten) is missing from the ingredient declaration.
Dundeis UK Ltd, the company behind the brand, has issued its own recall notice stating: "Dundeis UK Ltd is recalling batches of Organic Orzo due to a labelling error and missing allergen labelling. Organic orzo has been labelled as Orzo White Rice. Additional to this, the product contains wheat (gluten), which is missing on the packaging ingredient declaration. Therefore, the product is a potential health risk for consumers with an allergy or sensitivity to wheat or gluten."
Consumer Advice and Refund Information
The FSA advised: "If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten or with coeliac disease, do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund."
A point-of-sale notice has been issued, and Dundeis UK has contacted relevant allergy support organisations so members are aware of the recall.
Where the Product Was Sold
Minton and Donello products are sold through Tesco, Ocado, Amazon, and Planet Organic, though the recall applies to England and Wales only.
Orzo, also referred to as risoni, is a variety of short-cut pasta shaped to resemble a grain of rice and is commonly used in stews, salads, and one-pot dishes.
Company Statement
Dundeis UK Ltd added: "Please do not consume the product. Please return the product for a full refund. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this has caused." Anyone requiring additional information should contact info@dundeis.co.uk or telephone +44 1782366715.
Food items are either withdrawn, meaning they are removed from shop shelves, or recalled, whereby customers are requested to return the product. This occurs when there is a risk to shoppers because of allergen labelling issues or any other food safety concern.
