The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent "do not eat" warning for a festive Tesco product, prompting an immediate recall just days before Christmas. Customers with milk allergies are being urged to check their cupboards for the affected item.
What product is being recalled?
Tesco is recalling its Tesco Free From 4 Christmas Chocolate Flavoured Cupcakes. The 220g pack of cupcakes, marketed as 'Free From', has been found to potentially contain milk, an allergen that is not declared on the product label.
The recall affects all packs with a best before date of January 17, 2026, and all earlier dates. The FSA states this poses a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.
What should customers do?
The advice from both Tesco and the FSA is clear: if you have bought this product and have a milk allergy or intolerance, do not consume it.
Instead, you should return the cupcakes to any Tesco store for a full refund. The supermarket has confirmed that no receipt is required to process the return.
Supermarket and regulator response
Tesco has acted on the discovery by initiating a full product recall. The company has issued recall notices to its customers and has been advised to contact relevant allergy support organisations to inform their members.
The FSA's recall notice, published on December 23, 2025, emphasises the seriousness of the labelling error for those with specific allergies. The agency continues to monitor the situation to ensure public safety.
This urgent recall serves as a critical reminder for all consumers, particularly those with food allergies, to remain vigilant about product labelling, especially during the festive period when new seasonal items are introduced.
