Malabar Choice Spicy Kerala Mixture Recalled for Undeclared Milk

Here's one that might catch a few people off guard. Malabar Choice Spicy Kerala Mixture -- a popular savoury snack mix -- has been recalled because it contains milk that isn't declared on the label. If you have a milk allergy or lactose intolerance and you've been snacking on this thinking it was dairy-free, you'll want to read on.

What's Affected

The recall covers Malabar Choice Spicy Kerala Mixture 275g with a best before date of December 2026 and batch code ARC 109. This recall applies to products sold in England only.

Kerala mixture is a classic South Indian snack made from a blend of fried lentils, peanuts, curry leaves, and spices. You wouldn't necessarily expect milk to be in there, which is exactly why this undeclared allergen is such a problem. The ingredient is present in the product but has been left off the packaging, meaning people with milk allergies have no way of knowing it's there from the label alone.

What You Should Do

If you have a milk allergy or intolerance, stop eating this product immediately.

Here's what to do next:

• Check the packet: Look for the batch code ARC 109 and a best before date of December 2026.
• Set it aside: If it matches, don't eat any more of it.
• Return it: Take the product back to the store where you bought it for a full refund.
• Watch for symptoms: If you've already eaten some and you have a milk allergy, keep an eye out for symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, skin reactions, or in more serious cases, difficulty breathing. Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you're concerned. For severe allergic reactions, call 999.

If you don't have a milk allergy, the product is safe to eat and this recall doesn't affect you.

Stay Informed

Undeclared allergens are one of the most common reasons for food recalls in the UK, and they're arguably the most dangerous because the whole point of labelling is to let people make safe choices. It only takes one missing ingredient on a label to send someone to hospital. Keep tabs on the latest alerts from the Food Standards Agency -- especially if you or anyone in your household manages a food allergy. Five minutes of checking could save a lot of discomfort.