Major supermarkets pull Spoon Cereals granola after mispackaging raises peanut and gluten allergy risk

Food safety watchdogs have issued a “do not eat” alert and major British supermarkets have pulled a popular granola product from their shelves after a mispackaging incident raised the risk of life‑threatening allergic reactions.

Spoon Cereals’ 400g packets of Cinnamon and Pecan Granola, sold at retailers including Waitrose, Ocado and Morrisons, have been recalled after it emerged a co‑packer mislabelled a small number of items from batch code M5244. The company said affected packets with best‑before dates of 22 May 2026 and 26 May 2026 may contain undeclared peanuts and gluten.

Spoon Cereals said the recall is limited to the specific batch and that customers who have purchased the affected 400g packets should not consume them. The firm advised consumers to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Retail prices for the product reached up to £5, the company said.

Health officials warned the product poses a risk to anyone with a peanut allergy or an intolerance to gluten, including people with coeliac disease. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from skin rashes to swelling, breathing difficulties, dizziness and, in severe cases, rapid anaphylaxis, which can be life‑threatening. Authorities urged anyone who has already eaten the product and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical help immediately.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition in which ingestion of gluten damages the small intestine and affects nutrient absorption; it is estimated to affect about one in 100 people. Peanut allergy is among the most common and severe food allergies, affecting roughly one in 50 children and one in 200 adults in the UK. For some individuals, even microscopic amounts of nut protein can trigger a severe reaction.

British food law requires manufacturers and retailers to declare 14 specified allergens on packaging. Failures to declare allergens have in past years led to serious incidents and legal consequences. The deaths of food allergy sufferers have prompted changes in labelling and heightened scrutiny: in 2017 Natasha Ednan‑Laperouse died after eating a baguette containing sesame on a flight, a case that contributed to the introduction of stricter labelling rules for pre‑packed foods known as Natasha’s Law. In 2016, a teenager, Megan Lee, died after consuming food that failed to disclose peanut content; the restaurant owners were later convicted in relation to her death.

Industry and consumer safety experts say such cases have underscored the risks posed by incorrect labelling and by errors at co‑packing facilities. Poor or unclear ingredient information on packaged goods, particularly those imported or handled by third parties, is a continuing concern for people with food allergies and intolerances.

Spoon Cereals and the retailers involved have not indicated that other batches or product lines are affected. The company said it is working with its co‑packer and regulators to investigate the incident and to prevent a recurrence. Consumers uncertain whether their purchase is affected should check the pack size, batch code M5244 and the best‑before dates of 22 May 2026 or 26 May 2026 and follow retailer guidance on returns and refunds.

Anyone who believes they have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms such as swelling of the face or throat, hives, severe shortness of breath, or fainting should call emergency services or attend hospital immediately.