A food safety crisis has erupted across the UK as major supermarkets pulled a popular chocolate treat from shelves after it was found to contain deadly allergens hidden in plain sight. The Dimark Limited product, Veira Dream of Angel Hair Pistachio Chocolate, was recalled on 25 November 2025 with an urgent ‘Do Not Eat’ warning after testing revealed undeclared peanuts, sesame, and hazelnuts — all absent from the ingredient list. The affected 121g packs, sold at Tesco PLC, Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd., Asda Stores Limited, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited, and Co-operative Group Limited, were on shelves for nearly three months — from 13 July to 17 October 2025 — before the recall was triggered. Batch codes 05052025 and 07042025, with best-before dates of 5 May 2026 and 7 April 2026 respectively, are the only ones affected. But even one bite could be life-threatening.
Why This Recall Is So Dangerous
For people with nut or seed allergies, this isn’t just a nuisance — it’s a potential death sentence. Even microscopic traces of peanuts or sesame can trigger anaphylaxis, a rapid, full-body allergic reaction that can shut down breathing within minutes. The recall notice from Dimark Limited explicitly warns that the product “contains peanuts and sesame which are not mentioned on the label,” putting consumers at direct risk. And yet, the allergens didn’t stop there. Supermarket notices also added hazelnuts to the warning — a detail not originally in Dimark’s official statement, suggesting the contamination may be even more complex than first thought.
What makes this worse? The product looks harmless. It’s marketed as a pistachio-chocolate treat — a sweet, elegant snack often bought as a gift or indulgence. No one expects a box labeled “pistachio” to contain hidden peanuts. That’s the trap. And it’s not the first time this year. Just weeks before, Asda recalled duck spring rolls with wrong use-by dates, and Sainsbury's pulled free-from bread due to undeclared milk. The pattern is clear: food safety systems are fraying under pressure.
How the Recall Unfolded
The trigger came from routine quality checks — likely after a supplier complaint or internal audit. Dimark Limited, the manufacturer, didn’t wait for illness reports to act. That’s good. But the delay between the product hitting shelves (July) and the recall (November) is troubling. Three months is an eternity in food safety. Why didn’t someone catch this during production? Or during retailer inspection? Or during routine allergen testing?
Under the UK’s Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, companies are legally required to notify regulators immediately when allergens are mislabeled. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) would have been notified, though no official bulletin has been published yet. That silence speaks volumes. Either the FSA is still verifying details — or it’s being quiet to avoid panic. Neither is reassuring.
What we do know: every affected product must be removed from shelves, online warehouses, and delivery trucks. Supermarkets are posting signs at checkout, training staff to recognize the batch codes, and urging customers to check their pantries. No receipt? No problem. You can return it to any participating store — Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Co-op, or Tesco — and get a full refund. That’s standard. But it’s not enough.
Who’s Responsible? And Why Now?
Dimark Limited bears full legal responsibility. But who runs it? Where’s its factory? Has this happened before? The public doesn’t know. The company has released no statement beyond the recall notice. No CEO name. No headquarters address. No history of past violations. That’s unusual. Most firms in this situation rush to apologize, promise reforms, and name their quality control team. Dimark? Radio silence.
And here’s the twist: the product contains pistachios — which are tree nuts — but the allergen warning didn’t list them. That’s odd. If pistachios were the only issue, it’d be a labeling error. But peanuts? Sesame? Hazelnuts? Those aren’t in the recipe. They’re contamination. That means cross-contact during production — likely on shared lines with other nut products. Which raises the question: was this a one-off mistake? Or a systemic failure?
Industry insiders say it’s the latter. “Manufacturers are cutting corners,” said one former quality auditor who spoke anonymously. “They’re running more lines, faster, with fewer checks. And when you’re making 10,000 units a day, one missed wipe-down of a conveyor belt can contaminate everything.”
What This Means for You
If you’ve bought this chocolate — even if it’s been sitting in your cupboard since September — throw it out. Don’t give it to kids. Don’t share it. Don’t compost it. Return it. And if you or someone you love has eaten it and feels dizzy, itchy, or has trouble breathing — call 999 immediately. Anaphylaxis doesn’t wait for appointments.
This isn’t just about one chocolate bar. It’s about trust. We assume our supermarkets and food makers are keeping us safe. When that assumption breaks — especially over something as invisible as a nut particle — it shakes the whole system. And with the holiday season approaching, when gifting sweets is common, the risk is only growing.
What’s Next?
Expect more recalls. The FSA is reviewing all nut-containing products from the same suppliers. Meanwhile, Dimark Limited may face fines, criminal investigation, or even a production shutdown. Consumer group Which? has already flagged this as one of the most serious allergen incidents of 2025.
And if you’re someone who manages allergies — you’re probably already scanning labels like a detective. But here’s the truth: no label is foolproof. The only safe move? When in doubt, don’t eat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which products are affected by the recall?
Only the 121g packs of Veira Dream of Angel Hair Pistachio Chocolate made by Dimark Limited with batch codes 05052025 and 07042025 are affected. These have best-before dates of 5 May 2026 and 7 April 2026 respectively. Other sizes, flavors, or batches are not part of the recall. Always check the bottom of the packaging for the batch code.
What should I do if I’ve already eaten the chocolate?
If you have no known nut or seed allergies, you’re likely fine. But if you’re allergic to peanuts, sesame, or hazelnuts — and you’ve consumed this product — monitor for symptoms like swelling, hives, vomiting, or breathing difficulties. If any appear, call 999 immediately. Even if you feel fine now, anaphylaxis can be delayed. Report the incident to the store where you bought it and to the Food Standards Agency.
Why weren’t these allergens detected before sale?
Cross-contamination during manufacturing is the likely cause. The product was probably made on equipment also used for other nut-based items, and cleaning protocols failed. Routine testing may have missed it due to sampling errors or supplier mislabeling. This isn’t the first time such a lapse has occurred — but the scale of this recall suggests a deeper failure in Dimark’s quality control systems.
Can I get a refund without a receipt?
Yes. UK food safety policy allows full refunds for recalled products regardless of whether you have a receipt. Simply return the item to any participating store — Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, or Co-op — and ask for a refund. Staff are trained to handle these returns. Don’t wait — the clock is ticking on shelf removal.
Is this recall limited to the UK?
Yes. The recall applies only to products sold in England, Scotland, and Wales through the listed UK supermarkets. There is no evidence the product was exported. However, consumers outside the UK who bought the product online should check their packaging and contact their local food safety authority if they have concerns.
What’s being done to prevent this from happening again?
The Food Standards Agency is conducting a full audit of Dimark Limited’s production facilities and supply chain. Retailers are also tightening their third-party supplier vetting. But without public disclosure of Dimark’s internal failures, it’s unclear what changes will be made. Consumers are being urged to report any suspicious packaging to Which? and the FSA to help identify broader trends.