Food safety fears after Slimfast bars packed incorrectly

Ireland’s food safety watchdog has issued an allergen warning that some Slimfast meal bars may have been packed in incorrectly labelled boxes.

The warning from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland yesterday followed the recall by Unilever of three varieties of Slimfast Meal Bars.

Quality checks revealed some bars had been packed into incorrect boxes and the allergen information on the boxes about peanut, wheat, oats, and gluten may not match the product. This could be a health hazard for anyone with a food allergy or intolerance.

Customers are advised to check the writing on the bar wrapper describing the product and ensure it matches the description on the outer box.

Unilever has published a safety notice in newspapers today urging people who find a mismatch in the product description to contact the care line on 1850 419172.

It has warned consumers with an allergy to peanuts or gluten not to eat the bars affected.

Unilever said quality checks found that a “small number” of the bars were affected. The product names are: Slimfast 4 x Chocolate Crunch Flavour Meal Bar (240g); Slimfast 4 x Chocolate Peanut Flavour Meal Bar (224g); and Slimfast 4 x Summer Berry Flavour Meal Bar (240g).

A Unilever spokesperson said it did not supply products directly to retailers in Ireland. She said an investigation was ongoing.

Ray Ellard, director of consumer protection at the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, said people who suffer from allergies could subscribe to its allergen alert system for advice.

Anaphylaxis Ireland, which supports people living with severe allergies, is concerned that the number of people with a food allergy is increasing.

Spokeswoman Fiona Kenna said around 4% of children and 8% of adults could have a food allergy.

Ms Kenna said people with a severe allergy could sign up to its database at anaphylaxisireland.ie or call its helpline at 0818 300238.