Forest Products withdraws more apricot jam
Wednesday 8 October 2008
The Agency has issued an updated Allergy Alert for the withdrawal by Forest Product UK Ltd of some apricot jams. Further products contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative used in the apricots. Sulphur dioxide is not mentioned on the packaging, which makes the products a possible health risk for people who are sensitive to sulphites.
Forest Products UK has now withdrawn some of its Cherry Tree Apricot Extra Jam (340g) and Forest Products Apricot Extra Jam (340g).
The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert advising anyone who is sensitive to sulphites not to eat these products.
Product details
The products being withdrawn are:
- Forest Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: June 2011
Batch code: 8155CE
- Forest Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: June 2011
Batch code: 8155CD
- Forest Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: June 2011
Batch code: 8161FB
- Cherry Tree Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: June 2011
Batch code: 8174CK
- Forest Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: January 2011
Batch code: 8018CJ
- Forest Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: January 2011
Batch code: 8018CK
- Cherry Tree Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: February 2011
Batch code: 8053CF
- Forest Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: August 2011
Batch code: 8239CE
- Forest Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: August 2011
Batch code: 8239CF
- Forest Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: August 2011
Batch code: 8239CG
- Cherry Tree Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: September 2011
Batch code: 8248CD
- Forest Apricot Extra Jam, 340g
Best before: January 2011
Batch code: 8018CI
The company has withdrawn the affected batches from sale and contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will inform their members of the withdrawal. Notices are being displayed in all stores explaining why the product has been withdrawn. Anyone who has bought the product can return it for a full refund.
No other Forest Products UK products are known to be affected.
Allergy Alerts
Sometimes there will be a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold. Then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product). Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect or if there is any other food allergy risk.
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The science behind the story
Sulphites are used as preservatives in a wide range of foods, in particular soft drinks, sausages, burgers, and dried fruit and vegetables. These additives maintain food colour and prolong shelf-life by preventing the growth of micro-organisms.
When the gas sulphur dioxide is dissolved in a liquid, such as wine, it is known as a sulphite.
Sulphur dioxide is produced naturally when wine and beer are made and it is often added to wine to stop it from continuing to ferment in the bottle. Usually, most of the ‘head space’ in a bottle of wine (the part of the bottle not filled with wine) is sulphur dioxide.
Some people who have asthma may react to inhaling sulphur dioxide. A very few people with asthma have had an attack after drinking acidic drinks (such as fruit-based drinks) containing sulphites, but this is not thought to be very common.
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