Urgent recall of ‘unsafe’ crumpets sold in Morrisons and Waitrose over fears they contain pieces of metal
CRUMPETS have been recalled from UK supermarkets over fears they contain pieces of metal.
Certain batches pose a potential health risk and are “unsafe to eat”, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and manufacturer Rathbone Kears warn.
The alert applies to the following crumpets with the best-before date August 6, 2024, or August 7, 2024:
- Morrisons The Best Crumpets with Sourdough (6-pack)
- Morrisons Savers Crumpets (6-pack)
- Morrisons Crumpets (6-pack)
- Hovis Crumpets (6-pack)
The first three are sold exclusively in Morrisons, while the Hovis variety is available in Waitrose and on websites such as Doorstep Dairy Co, Parker Dairies, and the Heritage at Home Company.
“These products may contain pieces of metal, which makes them unsafe to eat,” the FSA said.
Recall notices are on display in shops and online.
Affected customers should return packs to their nearest store for a full refund, the FSA said.
A Rathbones Kear spokesperson added: “We are recalling the above products with a best-before date of August 6 and 7 because there is a risk that some packs may contain small pieces of metal.
“Please do not eat this product. Return it to your nearest store for a full refund. We don’t need a receipt.
“No other products are affected by this issue.
“We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and assure customers of our continuing commitment to the highest standard of product quality and safety.”
Swallowing sharp objects like metal and plastic can injure the teeth, mouth and oesophagus (food pipe), and be a choking risk.
If fragments make it further into the body, this can puncture the intestines and cause internal bleeding in severe cases.
Anyone who thinks they or a family member have swallowed something made of metal should always seek medical help.
If you or someone near you is choking, follow the guidance below.
What to do if you think you are affected
Firstly, do not eat the product.
The recall means the crumpets could be dangerous and are therefore unsafe to eat.
Then, either dispose of the food safely, or return it to your nearest store for a full refund.
This can be done with or without a receipt.
The FSA issues alerts if there is a problem with a food product which means it should not be sold.
This could be that it has been contaminated with something, such as mould or metal, or it carries an incorrect ‘use-by‘ date.
What to do if someone is choking
Mild choking
If the airway is only partly blocked, the person will usually be able to speak, cry, cough or breathe, and may be able to clear the blockage themselves.
In adults:
- Encourage them to keep coughing
- Ask them to try to spit out the object
- Don’t put your fingers in their mouth
- If coughing doesn’t work, start back blows
In children:
- If you can see the object, try to remove it (but don’t poke blindly)
- Encouraging coughing
- Shout for help if coughing isn’t effective or the child is silent
- Use back blows if the child is still conscious but not coughing
Severe choking
In adults:
Where choking is severe, the person won’t be able to speak, cry, cough or breathe.
Without help, they’ll eventually become unconscious, so you should carry out back blows.
In children:
Back blows can be carried out on children under one year.
If this doesn’t work, chest thrusts can be started on kids up to 12 months old, and abdominal thrusts on those over one year.
Call 999 if the blockage doesn’t come out after trying back blows and either chest or abdominal thrusts.
Keep trying this cycle until help arrives.
Even if the object has come out, get medical help. Part of the object might have been left behind, or the patient might have been hurt by the procedure.
Source: NHS