Allergy alertFSA
M&S Chocolate Cornflake Mini Bites recalled over undeclared hazelnut and gluten
Marks & Spencer is recalling M&S Chocolate Cornflake Mini Bites because they contain hazelnuts (nuts), oats (gluten) and wheat (gluten), which are not mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to hazelnuts (nuts) and/or for anyone with coeliac disease and/or an allergy or intolerance to oats, wheat or gluten.
Point-of-sale notice published with the recall
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
M&S Chocolate Cornflake Mini Bites 180g
- Best beforeOn the lid, base or back of the pack.
- 06 August 2024
What to do now
The label on M&S Chocolate Cornflake Mini Bites does not tell people about the hazelnut and gluten it contains. For everyone else the product is safe to eat; for people with an allergy to hazelnut and gluten, it is not.
- Anyone who avoids hazelnut and gluten should not eat this product.
- Tell anyone else in the household, school bag or lunchbox chain who might reach for it.
- Take it back to M&S and ask for a refund.
- Check other packs at home against the details below — the recall only covers the packs listed.
Why it matters. Tree nuts include almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, Brazil nuts and macadamias. People allergic to one type often avoid them all.
Symptoms and when to get help
Look out for
- an itchy, tingling mouth
- a raised itchy rash (hives)
- swelling of the lips, face or eyes
- stomach pain or being sick
Get help urgently
- swelling of the tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, feeling faint, or collapse — use an adrenaline auto-injector if you have one and call 999, saying it is anaphylaxis
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
The quickest route is to take the pack, or a photo of its label, back to the shop. Most retailers refund recalled products without proof of purchase.
If a shop refuses, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) or Consumerline in Northern Ireland (0300 123 6262) can tell you what to do next.
From the official notice
Published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA-AA-28-2024). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Marks & Spencer is recalling M&S Chocolate Cornflake Mini Bites because they contain hazelnuts (nuts), oats (gluten) and wheat (gluten), which are not mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to hazelnuts (nuts) and/or for anyone with coeliac disease and/or an allergy or intolerance to oats, wheat or gluten.
The risk
Hazelnuts (nuts), oats (gluten) and wheat (gluten)
This product contains hazelnuts (nuts), oats (gluten) and wheat (gluten) making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to hazelnuts (nuts) and/or for anyone with coeliac disease and/or an allergy or intolerance to oats, wheat or gluten.
Action taken
Marks & Spencer is recalling the above product from customers and they have contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. The company has also issued a recall notice to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tells them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notice.
Advice to consumers
If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to hazelnuts (nuts) and/or an allergy or intolerance to oats, wheat or gluten, do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. For more information, contact Marks & Spencer on 03330148555.
Open the FSA notice
Questions
Why has M&S Chocolate Cornflake Mini Bites been recalled?
The label on M&S Chocolate Cornflake Mini Bites does not tell people about the hazelnut and gluten it contains. For everyone else the product is safe to eat; for people with an allergy to hazelnut and gluten, it is not. Tree nuts include almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, Brazil nuts and macadamias. People allergic to one type often avoid them all.
How do I know if my product is affected?
Compare the best before on your product with the details listed under “Check your product” on this page. Only items that match are covered by the notice.
What should I do now?
Anyone who avoids hazelnut and gluten should not eat this product. Tell anyone else in the household, school bag or lunchbox chain who might reach for it.
Can I get a refund?
The quickest route is to take the pack, or a photo of its label, back to the shop. Most retailers refund recalled products without proof of purchase. If a shop refuses, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) or Consumerline in Northern Ireland (0300 123 6262) can tell you what to do next.
Is it safe for people without this allergy?
Yes. An allergy alert means the label is wrong for people who must avoid hazelnut and gluten. If nobody in your home is allergic to or intolerant of hazelnut and gluten, the product is not otherwise unsafe, although you can still return it.
