Mustard ingredients and peanut contamination - updated guidance for consumers

Last updated: 14 November 2024

An update for consumers including questions and answers on the incident and investigation into the contamination of mustard ingredients with peanuts.

What has happened and what are FSS doing to keep people safe?

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), working with Food Standards Scotland (FSS), has been coordinating investigations by several local authorities (LAs) into the food supply chain of mustard ingredients which may have been contaminated with peanut.

As a result of extensive and ongoing investigations, the food business, FGS Ingredients Limited, who import mustard to manufacture spice products including curry powders, seasonings and spice blends from India, undertook a precautionary withdrawal. Customers of FGS Ingredients Limited have taken similar action and have withdrawn and recalled all products containing mustard.

What is the latest advice to consumers?

We are now advising people who have a peanut allergy that they no longer need to avoid consuming foods that contain or may contain mustard, mustard powder, mustard seeds or mustard flour because they may have been contaminated with peanuts. This applies to eating at home and eating out.

Following on from Investigations by Leicester City Council, the enforcing Local Authority, and FGS Ingredients Limited, which have been supported by FSS and the FSA, we have been assured that measures have been put in place by FGS Ingredients Limited to minimise the risk to people with a peanut allergy.

FGS Ingredients Limited has advised their customers to remove products containing the contaminated mustard ingredients from sale.

Working closely with the relevant LAs for all the businesses affected, we have advised food businesses to review their food supply chains and remove any products that may have been contaminated with mustard ingredients from sale. Where these products were sold at retail, product recalls have also been undertaken.

As an additional safety precaution, increased sampling and surveillance of mustard products has been put in place to ensure that any further products that may be affected are identified as quickly as possible, enabling consumers to enjoy these foods with confidence.

How many products have been recalled?

As of 11 November 2024, 265 products from 51 brands have been recalled. FSS and the FSA are still urging consumers and businesses to check whether they still have any of the affected products listed in the allergy alerts at home and if so, people with a peanut allergy should avoid using these products and follow the advice in the allergy alerts.

Is it now safe to eat products containing mustard bought in supermarkets and shops?

Yes, it is now safe.

You should check if any products you have at home, purchased before 01 October 2024 are affected. You can check this by reviewing the list of products that have been recalled.

Is it now safe to eat products containing mustard when eating out at restaurants and cafes?

Yes. Checks have been undertaken across the food service sector to remove contaminated products that are unsafe. We still encourage all consumers who have an allergy to inform restaurants or cafes when eating out of their allergy, to ensure food is safe to eat.  

Food businesses have reviewed their supply chains and any affected products have been removed from sale and relevant food safety actions have been taken.

Is mustard contamination with peanuts a global concern? Do I need to take extra precautions if I am travelling outside the UK? 

Our advice applies to the UK only. FSS and the FSA cannot give detailed advice on food safety controls in other countries. If you are concerned, you should seek advice from food safety authorities in the country you are travelling to.

Mustard is a globally traded product, and any countries that have been supplied with impacted products by the UK have been notified via an international food safety alert system.

How can I find up to date information on which products have been affected?

We have provided a full list of recalled products. 

We will update consumers as soon as more information becomes available and would strongly encourage individuals with allergies to sign up for our allergy alerts to stay informed about future recalls.

If the issue is resolved, why have there been further updates to the recall? Will there be other updates after this?

The FSA applied a precautionary approach to minimise risk to consumers. The supply chain has been lengthy and complex and where a supplier has been identified with widespread distribution, the FSA has taken measures to amplify their message by issuing updates to the recall notices. There may be further products added to the list, but it does not alter the latest advice to consumers.