The viral Dubai Chocolate has come under fire after people have suffered severe reactions
Shoppers have been warned from purchasing the viral Dubai Chocolate as experts warn of serious reactions from an increase in improper labels.
The original chocolate bar was created by Fix Chocolate Dessert. It’s filled with a crispy knafeh, mixed with pistachio and tahini paste, encased in milk chocolate.
One bar would normally cost around €10. Mullingar’s Sugarplum Sweetery sells the chocolate for €9.95.
Since the bar grew in popularity and is quite expensive, many have made dupes and homemade versions.
But experts have issued a warning to anyone thinking of purchasing the chocolate bar.
The Food Standards Agency is warning anyone with allergies to be careful when purchasing imported bars, due to unclear labels.
According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), pre-packed foods must include all ingredients.
Any “allergenic ingredient or processing aid” must be noted in the label as well.
The FSAI found products that pose health risks to consumers, as well as some that contain additives and colours that are not permitted in the UK market.
Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Advisor to the FSAI, says:
“The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don’t meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies.”
“If you are looking to buy Dubai-style chocolate, we advise sticking with trusted retailers.”
“Like the ones you’d use for your weekly shop, as products are more likely to be made for UK consumers and so are safe to eat.”
“As it’s difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren’t, if you have a food allergy or intolerance,”
“We advise that you do not buy the product unless you’re certain it’s intended for sale here.”
The FSAI states the following must be required on pre-packed food
- Food name
- Full ingredient list
- Any allergenic ingredient or processing aid used in the manufacture or preparation of a food and still present in the finished product, even if in an altered form
- The quantity of certain ingredients or categories of ingredients (QUID)
- The net quantity of the food
- The date of minimum durability or the ‘use by’ date
- Any special storage conditions and/or conditions of use
- Food business operator/ business name and address
- The country of origin or place of provenance
- Instructions for use
- The alcoholic strength by volume, respectively of beverages containing more than 1.2% volume by beverage
- A nutrition declaration
