Japanese-style curry cubes recalled because they may contain milk not listed on the label
The Food Standards Agency has issued an allergy alert for 200g packs of Emma Basic Curry Cubes Japanese Style across eight best before dates.
A curry sauce product is being recalled because it may contain milk that is not declared on the packaging, making it a possible risk to anyone with a milk allergy or intolerance.
The Basic Ingredients Ltd is recalling Emma Basic Curry Cubes Japanese Style in 200g packs. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) published the allergy alert on Saturday. Every best before date on the alert is affected:
- 29 December 2026
- 24 February 2027
- 18 March 2027
- 12 May 2027
- 23 July 2027
- 14 September 2027
- 12 October 2027
- 26 March 2028
Curry cubes of this kind are blocks of concentrated roux that are broken up and stirred into a pan to make a sauce. Because they are dissolved into a dish, a person with an allergy may not realise the product was in their food, so the FSA advice also matters for anyone cooking for someone else.
What to do if you have a pack
If you or anyone in your household has an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk ingredients, do not eat the product. Take it back to the shop where you bought it for a full refund.
Shops that sell the curry cubes will display point of sale notices explaining the recall. The company has also been asked to contact allergy support organisations so they can pass the warning on to their members. People without a milk allergy or intolerance are not affected by this alert.
Why allergy alerts are issued
When a food contains an allergen that is missing from its label, the business responsible usually takes it off sale and the FSA publishes an allergy alert, so that people at risk can check what they already have at home. The FSA also offers an email alert service, which people can join through GOV.UK by creating an account on the agency's website.
The NHS describes a food allergy as the body reacting to certain foods. Reactions are often mild but can be very serious for some people. Symptoms can include itchy skin or hives, swelling of the lips, face and eyes, feeling sick, tummy pain, diarrhoea and breathing problems, and they can start soon after eating or days later.
The NHS advises calling 999 if the lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell, if someone is struggling to breathe or swallow, if their skin or lips turn blue, grey or pale, or if they become suddenly confused or drowsy or faint and cannot be woken. Anyone who uses an adrenaline auto-injector or nasal spray should still call 999 afterwards, even if the person seems better.
A food intolerance is different. It does not involve the same reaction and usually causes symptoms such as bloating and tummy pain a few hours after eating.
