Social media trends have seen sales of ‘Dubai’ chocolate soar in recent months, but concerns over the ingredients and labelling of some imported bars of the pistachio-based bar have prompted the Food Standards Agency to take the rare step of issuing a warning for the chocolate.
The FSA says it is “raising awareness and engaging with businesses, importers and consumers” over worries that “some” imported Dubai bars may not be intended for sale in the UK, and may lack “full ingredients list or allergen labelling”.
The agency says that “while most Dubai-style chocolate available in UK shops is safe”, it has identified “a number of products” that pose a danger to the health of people with allergies.
In addition to some bars missing allergy warnings and proper ingredients’ lists, the FSA says it is concerned that some Dubai chocolate bars may “contain additives and colours which aren’t allowed on the UK market”.
The FSA is working with local authorities on this matter, and is sharing its concerns with businesses and industry groups to get unsuitable bars removed from sale.
Professor Robin May, the FSA’s chief scientific advisor, warned that it is “difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren’t”, highlighting that food sold here must warn consumers if it contains any of 14 specified allergens. These include peanuts and tree nuts such as cashews, pecans and almonds, as well as sulphur dioxide and sulphites, which are used as preservatives.
May added that members of the public who are concerned about specific Dubai chocolate products should contact their local authority, and not eat the bars.
