Waitrose has recalled a popular seafood product over concerns that it may be unsafe to eat due to a labelling error. Some Essential Waitrose & Partners Seafood Sticks carried an incorrect best before date code, making them unsafe to eat after the correct best before date of October 5 2024.
A recall notice issued by Waitrose urged people not to consume the item, and to package and return it to their local branch for a refund. The notice added: “We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused.” The affected 250g packets, which carry a best before date of October 5, contain 16 individually wrapped texture white fish protein sticks.
Eating out-of-date seafood and trigger food poisoning, with varying symptoms depending on the toxins involved.
Common signs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramps.
Essential Waitrose & Partners Seafood Sticks contain Alaska Pollock and/or Hake, as well as crustacean extract.
The NHS website advises that food poisoning is rarely serious and usually gets better within a week, with most cases managed at home.
Symptoms typically start within a few hours or days of eating the contaminated food.
Remaining hydrated, getting plenty of rest and eating simple foods when possible can help to ease the illness.
Any type of food can cause food poisoning if not cooked properly, stored incorrectly, left out for too long, contaminated during handling or consumed after its use by date.