Supermarkets in the UK have issued an urgent recall notice for a popular breakfast cereal due to a potentially life-threatening ingredient that could trigger severe allergic reactions.
A warning not to consume has been issued by food safety authorities for packets of Spoon Cereals’ Cinnamon and Pecan Granola. The product, priced at around £5 and available at Waitrose, Ocado, and Morrisons, may contain peanuts and oats, posing a risk to individuals with peanut or gluten allergies or intolerances.
The manufacturer, Spoons Cereals, specified that the recall applies to their 400g cereal packets with the batch code M5244 and specific best before dates, including May 22, 2026, and May 26, 2026. An error during packaging resulted in a small number of products potentially containing peanuts and gluten, leading to the health risk for individuals with related allergies or intolerances.
Customers affected by peanut or gluten allergies, intolerance, or coeliac disease are advised not to consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For further inquiries, customers are encouraged to contact Spoon Cereals via email at spoon@spooncereals.co.uk.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA), responsible for food safety in the UK, stated that the business has also provided a notice to customers at the point of sale, explaining the reason for the product recall and providing guidance for consumers who have purchased the affected product.
Coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition affecting about one in 100 individuals, prevents gluten digestion, leading to a range of symptoms from skin issues to respiratory problems. It damages the small bowel lining, disrupting nutrient absorption, with environmental and genetic factors believed to contribute to its development.
Peanuts are among the 14 allergens required to be disclosed on packaging. In the UK, approximately one in 50 children and one in 200 adults have nut allergies, with symptoms including swelling, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness, which can be severe and life-threatening.
Individuals experiencing symptoms after consuming a product subject to recall are urged to seek immediate medical assistance. Around 2.4 million adults in the UK, representing 6% of the population, have confirmed food allergies, where even trace amounts of allergens can trigger illness or fatalities.