ORANGE and apple juice from Calypso and own-brand Asda have been urgently recalled over fears they contain metal.
Parents have been warned straws that come with the kids juice drinks may have metal in them.
“Refresco Beverages UK Limited is recalling various juice drinks because the straws may be contaminated with metal, making them unsafe,” the government’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) said.
The warning applies to six Asda multipack drinks, including 3 x 150ml of orange juice from concentrate, apple juice from concentrate, and essential orange juice from concentrate.
It also includes 5x 150ml of apple and blackcurrant juice, apple and mango juice, and apple and pear juice.
Asda said: “If you purchased any of the products and codes listed above, please bring them back to your nearest store, where you will be given a full refund. You do not need a receipt.”
They added: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
For further information, contact the supermarket’s customer service department on 0800 952 0101.
The recall also applies to Calypso’s 150ml orange juices with the best before dates Oct 24, Nov 24 and Dec 24 and the 150ml apple juices with the best before dates November 24 and December 24.
The manufacturer has urged anyone who has bought the juices not to use the straw and to return the drink to the store they bought it from to receive a full refund – with or without a receipt.
“For more information, contact the store where you purchased the product for next steps,” it said.
The alert did not say how much metal could be in the straws.
However, swallowing any sharp object, like metal, can damage the teeth, mouth and oesophagus (food pipe) and be a choking risk.
If sharp fragments make it further into the body, they can pierce the intestines, which can lead to internal bleeding in severe cases.
High levels of metal poisoning can lead to irreversible conditions, like brain damage and kidney and liver failure.
The FSA issues alerts if there is a problem with a food product, meaning it should not be sold.
This could be that it has been contaminated with something, such as mould or metal, or it carries an incorrect ‘use by‘ date.
Items are then either withdrawn (taken off the shelves) or recalled (customers are asked to return the product).
People can then get their money back where they bought the affected items.
