Do not eat warning issued as major supermarket is ordered to recall grab-and-go breakfast favourite due to deadly contamination risk

A popular sweet pastry sold in supermarkets across Britain has been urgently recalled over fears it could trigger life-threatening allergic reactions.

Woodstock Vanilla Creme Crowns, made by Woodstock Foods, have been pulled from shelves after it was discovered they contain hazelnuts that are not listed in the ingredients.

The recall affects packs of 12 (50g each) with the batch code 224934 and a best before date of January 2026.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued an alert warning the product is a ‘possible health risk’ for anyone with an allergy to hazelnuts, a tree nut known to cause severe—and sometimes fatal—reactions in sensitive individuals.

Customers who have bought the product are being urged not to eat it and instead return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.

The FSA said point-of-sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that have stocked the item. These notices explain the issue and what customers should do if they’ve bought the affected batch.

The recall is believed to affect pastries stocked by Heron Foods, a chain that has more than 340 branches in the North of England.  

The recall will raise alarm among allergy sufferers, especially after a string of similar incidents involving incorrectly labelled foods. 

Campaigners have long called for tighter regulation and clearer allergy labelling, particularly for bakery items and ‘grab-and-go’ goods.

In a statement, the FSA said: ‘Woodstock Foods is recalling the above product from customers. 

‘The company has also been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.’ 

Woodstock Foods has issued an apology and provided a customer helpline for further information. Concerned shoppers can call 0787 639 4406 for assistance.

The recall is listed under alert code FSA-AA-35-2025, and full details are available on the Food Standards Agency website. 

Food recalls are issued when there is a risk to public safety, particularly in cases involving allergens, contamination, or incorrect labelling. 

Hazelnuts are among the 14 allergens required by law to be declared on packaging. Failing to do so can carry serious consequences. 

Nut allergies are among of the most severe and potentially deadly food allergies, affecting around one in 50 children and one in 200 adults in the UK. 

Anyone who has already consumed the product and is experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction—such as swelling, hives, difficulty breathing or dizziness—is urged to seek medical help immediately. 

For some, even microscopic amounts of nut protein can trigger anaphylaxis—a rapid, life-threatening allergic reaction.

Notable fatal cases in recent years have raised awareness of how devastating accidental exposure can be. 

In 2016, 15-year-old Megan Lee died after ordering takeaway food that failed to disclose peanut content. 

The restaurant owners were later jailed for manslaughter by gross negligence.

And in 2017, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse collapsed and died on a flight after unknowingly eating sesame in a Pret a Manger baguette. 

Her death prompted new UK labelling laws—known as Natasha’s Law—mandating clearer allergy information on pre-packed foods.

While these cases involved sesame and takeaway food, experts warn that poor labelling on packaged goods—particularly imported products—remains a key risk for allergy sufferers.

The FSA urged all consumers to remain vigilant: ‘Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect or if there is any other food allergy risk.’