Asda issues urgent warning and recalls microwave meal that could make people ill

The supermarket chain has issued a recall for its Chicken Dinner microwave meal because a packaging error means some packs actually contain a Beef Dinner instead

Asda has issued a significant product recall due to a packaging error that could potentially make some customers ill. The supermarket chain has recalled its microwave Chicken Dinner as some packs may actually contain a Beef Dinner instead.

This could pose a health risk as the Beef Dinner contains allergens such as milk, egg and barley (gluten), which are not mentioned on the label. Those with intolerances to these ingredients could experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach aches, cramps, and bloating after consumption.

The Foods Standards Agency has issued a warning about the product and advised those with these intolerances to avoid eating it. The Chicken Dinner pack, which can be cooked in both the microwave and oven, is priced at £2.20 and comes in a 375g pack size, with a best before date of September 5, 2025.

Customers who have purchased the product are advised to return it to their local Asda store for a full refund, with no receipt required. For further information on the product and the recall, customers can contact Asda's Customer Relations team on 0800 952 0101.

Products may be recalled for various reasons, including safety concerns – if they pose risks to customers – or quality issues – when they don't function as intended. The Food Standards Agency is tasked with issuing alerts regarding food product issues, reports the Mirror.

A product can be "withdrawn", meaning it's removed from sale, or "recalled", which involves requesting customers to return the item. Recalls of food products are necessary if contamination with pathogens that could lead to food poisoning is discovered, or if foreign objects like plastic or metal are detected due to manufacturing errors.

Additionally, incorrect or missing allergen information can trigger a food recall. For non-food items, including medicines and vehicles, the Office for Product Safety and Standards handles recalls.