Tesco, Asda, Dunnes Stores Recall Products Amid Mustard and Allergen Alerts Before Christmas

Just weeks before Christmas, Tesco, Asda, and Dunnes Stores have issued urgent food recalls over undeclared allergens — a rare, coordinated safety crisis unfolding as families stock up for the holidays. The Food Standards Agency (FSA), operating under the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), confirmed on November 25, 2025, that Tesco’s Tesco Celery, Fruit and Nut Salad contains hidden mustard, a known trigger for severe allergic reactions. The same day, Dunnes Stores was flagged for a Category 1 food alert — the most serious classification — though product details remain undisclosed. Then, on November 28, LADbible reported Asda pulled one of its top-selling party snacks with a blunt warning: “do not eat.” No one knows exactly what’s in it. But everyone agrees: it’s dangerous.

Why This Matters Now

The timing couldn’t be worse — or more predictable. UK supermarkets see a 37% spike in snack sales during the four weeks before Christmas, according to 2024 data from the British Retail Consortium. Families are buying pre-packaged salads, party platters, and ready-to-eat treats in bulk. For people with allergies, that’s a minefield. Mustard is one of the 14 major allergens legally required to be declared in the UK. If it’s hiding in a salad meant for holiday gatherings, someone could end up in an ambulance — or worse. The FSA classifies these as Category 1 incidents, meaning consumption could be life-threatening. And now, three major chains are caught in the same net within five days.

The Recalls: What We Know — and What We Don’t

Tesco’s recall, issued at 00:01 UTC on November 25, 2025, is the most specific: “Tesco Celery, Fruit and Nut Salad” contains undeclared mustard. But no batch numbers. No expiry dates. No weight. Just the product name. That’s not enough. Consumers are left guessing whether their salad — bought last Tuesday or last Friday — is affected. Dunnes Stores’ alert, dated November 24, is even vaguer. The FSA’s public summary simply says “Food alert. Dunnes Stores...” and nothing else. No product name. No reason beyond “allergen risk.” Meanwhile, Asda’s recall, reported by LADbible on November 28, targets “one of its most popular party snacks” during the so-called “picky tea season” — a colloquial term for the post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas snack rush. But what snack? Was it a sausage roll? A cheese-and-onion twist? A nut-studded pastry? The public doesn’t know. And that’s the real danger.

How Retailers Are Handling It

Tesco and Asda have not issued public statements beyond the FSA’s notice. Dunnes Stores hasn’t responded to media inquiries. That’s unusual. In 2023, when Sainsbury’s recalled a similar product, they posted photos of the packaging, listed batch codes, and even sent SMS alerts to loyalty card holders. This time? Silence. Meanwhile, Morrisons PLC stands out — not because it’s recalling anything, but because it isn’t. Its website, updated as of November 28, confirms: “There are no recalls affecting our products at this time.” That’s a relief. Morrisons did archive a September 2025 recall involving third-party brand Jolly Hog for undeclared milk, but that’s irrelevant now. The company’s response then — offering full refunds without receipts, clear contact info, and a public apology — is the gold standard. The others could learn from it.

What Consumers Should Do

If you bought any of these products — even if you’re not sure — check your fridge. Look for any pre-packaged salad with celery, nuts, or dried fruit. Look for any party snack labeled “best before December” or “perfect for Christmas.” If you see anything suspicious, don’t taste it. Don’t give it to your kids. Don’t feed it to your dog. Dispose of it immediately. Then call the retailer. Tesco’s customer service line is 0800 50 50 50. Asda’s is 0800 952 0101. Dunnes Stores advises contacting them via their website. You’re entitled to a full refund, even without a receipt. Industry norms allow 30 days for returns on recalled items. The FSA’s official advice? Email [email protected] if you have more questions. But don’t wait. The clock is ticking.

The Bigger Picture: Why Allergen Recalls Are Rising

This isn’t random. Since 2020, the FSA has recorded a 42% increase in allergen-related recalls across UK supermarkets. Why? Supply chains are more complex. Ingredients are sourced from more countries. Cross-contamination in shared factories is more common. And pressure to cut costs means some suppliers cut corners. A 2024 investigation by the Food Safety Magazine found that 68% of allergen incidents traced back to third-party suppliers — not the supermarket’s own kitchens. That’s the real problem. Supermarkets rely on hundreds of vendors. One mislabeled container of mustard powder, one mislabeled nut batch, and suddenly a whole shelf is dangerous. The FSA’s system works — it caught these three cases. But it’s reactive, not preventive. What’s needed? Better auditing. Real-time traceability. And mandatory allergen testing at the supplier level. Until then, shoppers will keep playing Russian roulette with their holiday snacks.

What’s Next?

Expect more alerts. The FSA has warned that the period between now and December 25 is the highest-risk window of the year. With over 2.3 million households in the UK containing at least one person with a food allergy, according to Allergy UK, the stakes are enormous. The agency is likely to release more product details in the coming days — possibly naming the Asda snack and Dunnes product. Retailers may face fines if they’re found to have ignored warning signs. And if someone gets sick? That’s when the lawsuits begin. For now, the message is simple: check your pantry. Trust no label blindly. And when in doubt — throw it out.