On 27 November 2025, Asda launched an urgent recall of its 10 Mini Duck Spring Rolls with Hoisin Dip after discovering the packaging bore the wrong use-by date — listing 29 December 2025 instead of the true expiration date: 29 November 2025. The 220g packs, sold across UK stores, could now pose a serious food safety risk. Consuming them beyond the correct date means eating potentially spoiled product. It’s not just a paperwork error. It’s a countdown to illness.
Why a Wrong Date Is More Dangerous Than It Sounds
Food safety isn’t about guesswork. That use-by date isn’t a suggestion — it’s a scientifically determined cutoff point for bacterial growth, especially in ready-to-eat items like spring rolls. The Government of Jersey confirmed the discrepancy, and Which? flagged it within hours. The product had been sitting on shelves for weeks under a false sense of security. Imagine a family reheating these for a quick dinner — unaware the meat inside could harbor listeria or salmonella. That’s not hypothetical. That’s what happened in 2023 with a similar mislabeling case in Scotland, where three people were hospitalized.
Asda’s response was swift: a public notice, store alerts, and a refund guarantee. But the real question is — how did this slip through? The supply chain for these spring rolls involves multiple handlers: packaging lines, quality control, barcode printers. One misstep, one misaligned label roll, and dozens of thousands of units get mislabeled. It’s a system failure, not a human error.
Mustard and Milk: The Hidden Allergens
Just days before, on 24 November 2025, Tesco recalled its Celery, Fruit and Nut Salad — 300g packs sold between July and October 2025 — because it contained undeclared mustard. Mustard allergies are among the most severe and under-recognized. One teaspoon of mustard seed can trigger anaphylaxis. The Food Standards Agency confirmed the recall, noting that the salad’s ingredient list omitted mustard oil and powdered mustard, both used as flavor enhancers.
Then came Sainsbury’s on 12 November 2025, recalling its JS Free From Breaded Mini Fillets — a product marketed specifically to people avoiding dairy. The irony was brutal. The fillets, sold in 305g packs with best-before dates between 15 and 20 November, contained milk proteins. Not trace amounts. Not cross-contamination. Actual milk powder in the breading. For a parent buying "free from" products for a child with a milk allergy, this isn’t just a mistake — it’s a betrayal of trust.
More Than Just November: The Pattern Emerges
These aren’t isolated incidents. On 15 October 2025, Tesco recalled Free From Breadcrumbs because they contained wheat — again, undeclared. Gluten-free consumers rely on these labels. When they’re wrong, the consequences can be life-altering. And on 29 October 2025, Lidl, through supplier Rose Manufacturing, recalled Halloween Spooky Tea Cakes — but still hasn’t said why. No allergen? No expiry issue? The silence is louder than the recall notice.
Even Waitrose had two unexplained recalls earlier this year — Indian Takeaway and Seafood Sticks. No public reasons given. That’s not transparency. That’s risk management by omission.
Who’s Really in Charge of Our Food Safety?
The Food Standards Agency oversees these recalls, but it doesn’t inspect every batch. Retailers are legally responsible for labeling accuracy. Yet, with supply chains stretched thin and cost pressures mounting, corners get cut. The Which? tracker — updated daily — is the only real-time shield consumers have. Without it, people would be eating dangerous food without knowing.
And here’s the twist: none of these products were found to be contaminated. They were mislabeled. That’s the real scandal. The food itself passed safety checks. But the information — the one thing that keeps vulnerable people alive — was wrong.
What Happens Next?
Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s are all offering full refunds. That’s the minimum. But what about systemic change? Will they invest in automated label verification? Will they require third-party audits for allergen declarations? Will they publish root-cause reports?
So far, silence. The same retailers who run ads about "ethical sourcing" and "family-friendly meals" are failing the most basic duty: telling customers what’s actually in the food. And for parents, diabetics, allergy sufferers — that’s not a brand promise. It’s a lifeline.
Consumers are advised to check their fridges and pantries. If you bought any of these products — return them. No receipt needed. No questions asked. And if you’ve already eaten something from these batches? Watch for symptoms: nausea, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing. Seek help immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I bought a recalled product?
Check the product name, pack size, and best/before dates against the official recall notices on the Which? website or the Government of Jersey food alerts page. For Asda’s spring rolls, look for 220g packs with a use-by date of 29 December 2025 — if it says that, throw it out. For Tesco’s salad, verify 300g packs with best-before dates between 13 July and 17 October 2025.
Can I get sick from eating these recalled items?
Yes — depending on the defect. Eating Asda’s spring rolls past 29 November 2025 risks food poisoning from bacterial growth. Consuming Tesco’s salad or Sainsbury’s fillets could trigger anaphylactic shock in those with mustard or milk allergies. Even small amounts can be fatal. If you’ve eaten any of these and feel unwell, contact your GP or call NHS 111 immediately.
Why do these recalls keep happening in the UK?
Supply chain complexity, cost-cutting, and outdated labeling systems are to blame. Many supermarkets use third-party manufacturers who handle packaging. A single misprinted label batch can affect tens of thousands of units. There’s no mandatory real-time digital label verification. The system still relies on manual checks — and humans make mistakes.
What should I do if I have one of these products at home?
Do not consume it. Do not give it away. Do not throw it in the trash where someone else might find it. Return it to any store of the retailer — Asda, Tesco, or Sainsbury’s — for a full refund. Even if you bought it months ago, they’re legally required to refund you. Keep the packaging if possible; it helps trace the batch.
Are "free from" products less safe than regular ones?
Not inherently — but they’re more vulnerable to labeling errors. People rely on them completely. When Sainsbury’s mislabels a "free from" product with milk, it’s not just a mistake — it’s a life-threatening failure. The industry needs stricter standards for allergen-free labeling, including independent lab testing and blockchain traceability — not just promises on a box.
How can I stay updated on future recalls?
Bookmark the Which? product recall tracker — it’s updated daily and covers food, toys, electronics, and more. Sign up for email alerts from the Food Standards Agency and check your local council’s food safety page. Don’t wait for news headlines — stay proactive. Your family’s health depends on it.
