One of the most popular food products that recently flooded the British market has now become a health emergency, after the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued an urgent warning to withdraw a number of “Dubai Chocolate” products available in stores.
The recall was made because the chocolate product contained undeclared allergens, posing a direct risk to consumers – especially those with nut allergies – according to the British newspaper The Sun.
Products impacted by the recall included types of chocolate that are widely popular with consumers, especially after they spread on social media due to their luxurious oriental flavors, such as Kunafa and Pistachio.
Among the items affected by the warning are: Noesis Chocolate Love of Dubai (95g), Fix it Dubai Kunafa Chocolate (50g), and Le Damas Dubai Chocolate Kunafa and Pistachio (all sizes).
These products contain peanuts and other nuts, such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts, without this being stated on the food label – a serious violation of British food safety standards.
According to the FSA, ignoring this information on packaging puts consumers, especially those with allergies, at risk.
The agency said in its statement: “If you are allergic to peanuts or other nuts, do not buy these products. If you have already purchased them, do not consume them and dispose of them safely.”
The agency also urged consumers to contact their local consumer protection authorities or environmental health officials if they have purchased these products, to report their source and take necessary action.
The recalled products were delivered to British stores, which the agency confirmed it had been able to contact, noting that investigations are ongoing to ensure the incident does not recur.
Dubai Chocolate has gained widespread popularity in Britain recently after major stores began selling it at prices ranging from £2.75 to £5, due to its luxurious ingredients, such as pistachio cream and crunchy kunafa.
However, this commercial success, which relied on attracting consumers with exotic flavors, has now collided with health safety investigations, taking the product from a “luxury trend” to a recall issue.
Sources indicate that regulatory authorities are considering imposing stricter controls on imported or new products on the market to ensure strict adherence to packaging specifications and clarity of ingredients, especially with the increase in food allergies in Britain, which has become a real challenge for food manufacturers and importers.
While Dubai Chocolate continues to whet consumer appetites on social media, the case highlights the importance of transparency in the food industry and the need for full disclosure of ingredients to protect consumer health and build confidence in the markets.
