You wouldn't normally expect to find milk hiding in a bag of chips, but here we are. Co-op has recalled its Irresistible Triple Cook Thick Cut Chunky Chips after it emerged that the product contains milk which isn't listed on the label. If you have a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, this one's aimed squarely at you. The Food Standards Agency has issued an allergy alert, and the affected batch needs to go straight back to the store -- or straight in the bin.
The recall covers a single product:
Only this specific batch with the use-by date above is affected. If you've got a different date on your pack, you're in the clear. But if the date matches, that product contains milk that isn't declared anywhere on the packaging -- which is a problem for anyone who relies on labels to avoid allergens.
Milk is one of the 14 major allergens recognised under UK food law, and it has to be clearly declared on any product that contains it. When that doesn't happen, people with allergies are left making decisions based on incomplete information, and that can have serious consequences.
If you have a milk allergy or intolerance:
If nobody in your household has a milk allergy, the product is perfectly safe to eat. This recall is specifically about the missing allergen declaration, not a broader safety issue.
Chips are the kind of thing that can linger in the freezer for weeks before making it onto a plate, so it's worth having a rummage. A quick check now could prevent a nasty reaction later. And if you know someone with a milk allergy who shops at Co-op, do them a favour and pass this along. Nobody wants an unexpected allergic reaction with their Friday night chips.