The mislabelling is particularly alarming because the Hot Honey packaging does not list milk as an ingredient, meaning consumers with dairy allergies would have no reason to suspect the product posed any risk. The Food Standards Agency has issued an official allergy alert, and Walkers is urging customers to check their cupboards immediately.
A Labelling Error With Serious Consequences
At the heart of the recall is a straightforward but potentially dangerous error: packets sold as Hot Honey flavour were filled with Cheese and Onion seasoning, which contains milk, one of the 14 major allergens regulated under UK food safety law. While Walkers noted that the product does include precautionary allergen labelling for milk, the company acknowledged that milk does not appear on the ingredients list itself.
In a statement, Walkers said: “Although this product includes precautionary allergen labelling for milk, milk is not included in the ingredients list and therefore the product poses a risk to people with an allergy to milk.” The company added that the crisps could present a health hazard for anyone suffering from milk intolerance or sensitivity to milk constituents.
The concern extends to individuals whose immune systems react adversely to specific dairy proteins, including casein and whey. For those affected, reactions can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening anaphylaxis, a spectrum that underscores why swift action is essential.
What Consumers Should Know
According to Allergy UK, cow’s milk allergy is among the most common food allergies in infants and young children, though most outgrow the condition by around age five. For the subset whose allergy persists into adulthood, reactions tend to be more severe, making accurate labelling not just a regulatory requirement but a matter of genuine safety.
Mild to moderate symptoms of an immediate allergic reaction can include an itchy mouth, throat and tongue, facial swelling, hives, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a runny nose. More severe anaphylactic symptoms, including swelling of the tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, persistent coughing, wheezing, and dizziness or collapse, require urgent medical attention. In such cases, adrenaline should be administered immediately, and emergency services should be informed that anaphylaxis is occurring.
Walkers has taken comprehensive steps to contain the situation, withdrawing the product from retailers, posting point-of-sale notices in stores, and contacting allergy support organizations to ensure their members are directly informed.
Customers who have purchased the affected multipacks are entitled to a full refund. They can reach the Consumer Care Line on 0800 274777 or visit contact.pepsico.com/walkers. Anyone who has already consumed the product and is experiencing adverse symptoms is advised to seek medical advice promptly.
