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Foods that contain or may contain mustard, mustard powder, or mustard flour may have been contaminated with peanuts, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned.

It has put out a statement advising people who have a peanut allergy to avoid consuming foods that contain mustard ingredients.

These mustard ingredients can be found in food such as dips, sauces, salads and pre-packed sandwiches, the FSA said.

More than 50 items, including Spar sandwiches, have already been recalled.

The contaminated mustard ingredients have been traced back to a producer in India called GT Agro Industries.

One company, called FGS Ingredients, has been identified as supplying their mustard ingtedints for use in UK food.

The company has advised its customers to remove from sale any products containing the contaminated mustard ingredients. 

The FSA has stated that it is working urgently with the relevant local authorities, individual businesses and industry to identify which products may be affected. 

It is taking a “precautionary approach” to ensure that people with a peanut allergy have up to date information about the potential risk and can take action to keep themselves safe.

The agency has requested the industry to review their food supply systems and remove from sale any products that may have contaminated mustard ingredients.

Food Standards Agency’s director of food policy, Rebecca Sudworth, said: “Those with a peanut allergy should avoid consuming products containing mustard as an ingredient until we identify the individual products affected. Parents and carers of children who have a peanut allergy should take care to check the labels of food they buy and, if eating out, or getting a takeaway, ask the restaurant or cafe about foods that might contain mustard. 

“As soon as we have more information, we will update consumers. As always, we urge people with an allergy to sign up to our allergy alerts, so you can be notified about future allergy recalls.”