02.02.2015

Customers Report Vomiting After Drinking Product

Tesco has voluntarily withdrawn one of its own-brand cordials after customers complained of a foul smell and illness after consuming it.

Tesco's No Added Sugar Double Concentrate Apple and Blackcurrant 750ml and 1.5-litre products have been pulled from shelves. 

Buyers commenting on the PlayPennies website said it had a "disgusting smell" akin to rotten eggs, and some parents reported their children had suffered vomiting and diarrhoea.

"The smell was horrendous but I drank it anyway as I thought they just changed it," said one poster. 

"Since then both my daughter and partner have had bad bellies."

A spokesperson for Tesco said the company had consulted its supplier and confirmed that the flavour additive dimethyl disulphide had been added in error, but that the product posed no food safety risk.

The supermarket giant said only products bought since the New Year and bearing a best-before date of October 2015 are affected. The Food Standards Agency has not issued an alert.

Expert Opinion

“Reports suggesting that this product has the potential to cause illness among consumers is extremely concerning. We welcome the swift action taken by Tesco to remove the product from the shelves and hope it will take steps to inform consumers of the dangers of the product through their website and in-store notices. <br/> <br/>“In our work representing victims of illness caused by food and drink products, we have seen the long-term impact these incidents can have on victims. It is vital that a thorough investigation into the cause of the reported illness is carried out, and steps are taken to reassure consumers that any problems within the manufacturing process have been resolved.” Amandeep Dhillon - Partner