Batch of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream recalled over undeclared allergens

'As a precautionary measure we are now recalling this stock from sale'

(Getty Images)

Consumer goods company Unilever is recalling a batch of Ben and Jerry's ice cream due to undeclared allergens, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has reported.

In a statement published on the FSA's website, the organisation states that the offending ice cream is a batch of Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey Non-Dairy Ice Cream.

An investigation by the FSA discovered that the batch contained almonds, walnuts and soya, none of which were disclosed on the label.

This means that the batch posed a "possible health risk" to anyone with an allergy to nuts or soya, according to the FSA.

In a statement released by Unilever, which owns Ben and Jerry's, the company explains that the ingredients were missing from the packaging on the batch due to an "artwork error".

"This means there is no detailed nutrition and allergen information which is required on back of pack for individual items for sale to consumers," the statement adds.

The only products affected by the labelling mishap were those in the L8338 batch, which had a Best Before End Date of June 2020.

The FSA states that no other Unilever products are understood to have been affected.

Unilever is urging customers with allergies to nuts or soya who may have bought the ice cream in the batch to refrain from eating it.

Customers who have bought the product can return it for a full refund at the store where it was purchased.

"The quality and safety of our products is always our top priority, and as a precautionary measure we are now recalling this stock from sale," Unilever states.

"This means that all of this batch needs to be removed from sale to consumers immediately."

Unilever adds that a "thorough investigation" is currently taking place to ensure the packaging error does not occur again.

If a person is suffering from a food-related allergic reaction, they may experience common symptoms such as tingling or itching in the mouth, a rash, swelling of the throat, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath and light headedness, the NHS states.

The NHS advises that if you witness someone experiencing a severe allergic reaction, otherwise known as anaphylaxis, you should inject them with an adrenaline auto-injector, as long as you know how to use one, and call an ambulance for them on 999 immediately.

For more information about what to do in the event of an allergic reaction and how to spot the symptoms, visit the NHS website here.