Urgent recall for ready meal due to contamination with deadly allergen,
Farmfoods is urgently recalling one of its popular ready meals after it emerged that some batches had been mispacked and contain undeclared allergens.
The Farmfoods Ultimate Keralan Chicken Curry has been pulled from shelves because a ‘limited quantity were mistakenly produced with prawns’, which is not declared on the label.
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) this means the ready meal is a ‘possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to crustaceans (prawns).’
The recall applies to 400g meals under batch code L550 and with a best before date of 13 February 2026—shown on the bottom right corner on the front of the pack.
Crustacean allergies can be life-threatening. Even tiny amounts can trigger symptoms such as hives, swelling, vomiting and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis—a medical emergency which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
The FSA said: ‘If you have bought the affected product and have an allergy to crustaceans, do not eat it.
‘Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.’
Farmfoods added it had been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will inform consumers about the recall.
The company has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers, explaining why the product is being recalled and what to do it they have bought it.
Farmfoods customers can also contact the retailer’s customer service team on 0121 700 7160 for more information.
In the UK, shellfish allergies are estimated to affect up to three per cent of the adult population—approximately 1.5million people.
Sufferers can often tolerate specific types of shellfish, such as mollusks—oysters, mussels etc—while being allergic to crustaceans such as prawns, lobster and crab.
The most effect treatments is an injection of adrenaline, and sufferers of severe allergies are encouraged to carry an auto-injector, such as an EpiPen.
Anyone experiencing anaphylaxis should seek emergency medical attention immediately, even if symptoms seem to improve after the injection.
The recall comes after a series of high-profile tragedies linked to undeclared allergens on packaging.
On 17 July 2016, 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died after eating a Pret a Manger baguette containing undeclared sesame seeds.
Her death triggered the introduction of a new food and safety law in 2021, known as Natasha’s law, which necessitates full ingredient and allergen labelling on all food made on premises and pre-packed for direct sale.
The Anaphylaxis UK charity advises that anyone experiencing swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness or collapse after consuming a product should use an adrenaline auto-injector immediately if prescribed, and call 999.
Farmfoods have apologised for any inconvenience caused but have not disclosed how the labelling error occurred.
Shoppers can stay informed about recalls by subscribing to the FSA’s allergy alert email service or checking the alerts section of its website.
