Twenty free-from products including crumpets and pizza bases have been pulled from shelves over fears they may contain gluten.
All the recalled products were manufactured by Genius brand owner Genius Foods at the Bathgate Bakery in Scotland that it acquired in 2013. Among the affected products are Genius branded crumpets, Livwell branded lines and own-label products from the big five retailers.
Genius said the issue had been identified through its regular testing procedures, adding the source of the gluten contamination was “a dry ingredient used in very small quantities” in the baking process. This ingredient has now been removed from the bakery.
Under industry standards, a product must contain less that 20ppm of gluten to be considered safe for gluten-intolerant consumers to eat, said Genius, with products that test between 21ppm and 100pm considered “very low risk”, although not officially gluten free. The recalled products have tested between 5ppm and 80ppm.
The recalled products have tested between 5ppm and 80ppm for gluten, therefore the risk to consumers is very low by industry standards
“Therefore the risk to consumers is very low by industry standards,” said the supplier. “However, we have responded immediately by implementing a full recall for affected products. No other products are affected, including Genius breads and rolls.”
Genius added that it took issues of this nature “very seriously”. “We are working with our internal teams and retail partners to prevent any risk to our customers and prevent reoccurrence, and we apologise to any customers affected by this issue,” it said.
In a Q&A published on its website, Genius advised those with Coeliac disease or a wheat/gluten allergy not to eat the product. The who had done so and were showing signs of being unwell are advised to contact their local doctor for immediate advice.
The affected products are:
Branded
- Genius Crumpets
Best before dates: 18 June 2015 - 26 June 2015 - Livwell Gluten Free Crumpets
Best before dates: 18 June 2015 – 26 June 2015 - Livwell Garlic Naan
Best before dates: 09 July 2015 – 28 August 2015
Own-label
Asda
- Asda Chosen by you 4 Free From White Pitta Breads
Barcode: 505244989731
Best before dates: 26 June 2015, 30 June 2015, 2 July 2015 - Asda Chosen by you 2 Free From Garlic & Coriander Naan Breads
Barcode: 5051413185469
Best before dates: 3 July 2015, 7 July 2015, 9 July 2015 - Asda Chosen by you 2 Free From Pizza Bases
Barcode: 505244979125
Best before dates: 26 June 2015, 30 June 2015
Morrisons
- Morrisons Free From Pizza Bases
Best before dates: 29 May 2015 – 4 June 2015
Sainsbury’s
- Sainsbury’s Freefrom Pizza Base, 185g
Best before dates: 25 June 2015 – 3 July 2015 - Sainsbury’s freefrom 4 White Pitta breads, 260g
Best before dates: 25 June 2015 – 3 July 2015 - Sainsbury’s freefrom 4 Multiseeded Pitta breads, 260g
Best before dates: 25 June 2015 – 3 July 2015 - Sainsbury’s freefrom 2 Garlic & Coriander Naan, 196g
Best before dates: 25 June 2015 – 03 July 2015 - Sainsbury’s freefrom 6 Syrup Pancakes 198g
Best before dates: 12 July 2015 - 20 July 2015 - Sainsbury’s freefrom 4 Sultana Scones, 252g
Best before dates: 29 June 2015 – 7 July 2015
Tesco
- Tesco Free From 4 Crumpets 4Pk
Best before dates: 18 June 2015 - 25 June 2015 - Tesco Free From 2 Pizza Bases 4Pk
Best before dates: 25 June 2015 - 3 July 2015 - Tesco Free From 4 Pitta Bread 4Pk
Best before dates: 25 June 2015 - 3 July 2015 - Tesco Free From 2 Garlic & Coriander Naan 2Pk
Best before dates: 2 July 2015 - 10 July 2015
Waitrose
- Waitrose Gluten Free Scones
Best before dates: 7 June 2015 - 15 June 2015 - Waitrose Gluten Free Pitta
Best before dates: 25 June 2015 - 3 July 2015 - Waitrose Gluten Free Pancakes
Best before dates: 26 June 2015 - 3 July 2015
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