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People with allergies should avoid Dubai-style chocolate, the food safety watchdog has warned after a number of products failed to meet UK food standards.
These popular chocolate bars, usually filled with pistachios, tahini and chopped filo pastry, Their demand has increased rapidly during the last year.
However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has discovered “several” of these items in the UK Which do not comply with important safety and labeling regulations.
Rebecca Sudworth, the FSA’s policy director, confirmed: “We have found that some products contain peanuts and sesame seeds that are not declared on the label.”
The organization stressed that purchasing these bars would be “dangerous” for consumers with allergies.
The watchdog is now reviewing sample data from products currently on sale to verify that they meet food safety standards.
It said it was advising consumers with allergies to avoid Dubai-style chocolate as a precaution until the full results are known.
Ms Sudworth said: “People with allergies should not eat Dubai-style chocolate.
“If you’re buying a gift for someone who suffers from allergies, our advice is to avoid buying these products. This includes all allergens, not just peanuts and sesame.
“People without allergies can consume these products, especially where they are supplied by reputable brands and retailers.”
Jessica Merrifield, head of policy and campaigns at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said: “The legal requirements on this are clear – any food containing an allergen must be clearly identified and labeled to allow consumers to make informed and safe choices.
“Not doing so is illegal and extremely dangerous as it makes such foods unsafe for people with food allergies.
“We urge all food businesses, including retailers and importers, to take immediate steps to comply.”