If you’ve got a packet of Calbee crisps sitting in your snack drawer, it might be time to check the label — and not just for the heat rating. Lidl is among several UK supermarkets pulling certain Calbee chip products from shelves after the manufacturer flagged undeclared allergens that could pose serious health risks to people with food sensitivities. The recall, formally logged with the UK’s Food Standards Agency, spans multiple pack sizes and best-before dates stretching into mid-2026.

Affected Product: Calbee Hot & Spicy Crisps 55g and 105g · Allergen Risk: Undeclared mustard · Best Before Dates: Up to June 5, 2026 · Recall Date: December 2025 · Return Policy: Full refund at Lidl stores

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Specific batch codes beyond best-before dates have not been published
  • How many individual units were sold before the recall was issued
  • Whether other UK retailers beyond Lidl and Tesco sold affected products
3Timeline signal
  • FSA alert last updated December 4, 2025 (Food Standards Agency)
  • Lidl announced the recall in December 2025 (Food Standards Agency)
  • Tesco recalled the same products before Lidl took action (Food Standards Agency)
4What’s next
  • Consumers with affected products advised to return them for full refund
  • Calbee can be contacted at 0330 660 0015 or consumercare@calbee.co.uk
  • Products with best-before up to April 28, 2026 (Pizza Chips) still in circulation

The affected products span two Calbee varieties with distinct allergen risks, as documented in the official FSA alert.

Detail Specification
Primary Recall Product Calbee Hot & Spicy Crisps (also Pizza Crisps)
Undeclared Allergens Mustard (Hot & Spicy) · Celery (Pizza)
Affected Pack Sizes 55g and 105g (Hot & Spicy) · 55g (Pizza)
Best-Before Range Up to 05 June 2026 (Hot & Spicy) · Up to 28 April 2026 (Pizza)
Official Source Food Standards Agency alert FSA-AA-75-2025
Supermarkets Affected Lidl and Tesco (at least 2 retailers)

What crisps are recalled?

The implication for shoppers is that two distinct Calbee products require immediate attention from anyone with food sensitivities.

Lidl is pulling two Calbee chip products from UK shelves after the Food Standards Agency issued an official alert identifying undeclared allergens that could trigger serious reactions in sensitive consumers. The recall covers Calbee Hot & Spicy Crisps — the 55g and 105g packs — and a separate variety, Calbee Pizza Crisps in 55g packaging.

Calbee Hot & Spicy Crisps details

The Hot & Spicy variety has been flagged because it may contain mustard not listed on the label. For anyone with a mustard allergy or sensitivity, consuming the product could cause symptoms ranging from mild irritation to anaphylaxis depending on individual severity. The recall affects all best-before dates up to and including June 5, 2026, meaning packs currently sitting on shelves and in home cupboards could be impacted.

Lidl and Tesco both recalled the same products, with GB News reporting that Lidl was the second major supermarket to take action after Tesco issued its own notice. Calbee Group UK Ltd is listed as the manufacturer of the recalled products.

Best before dates affected

The extended best-before window — running through June 2026 — means many consumers who purchased these crisps months ago may still have affected stock at home. Batch information is printed on the reverse of packets, though the FSA has not published a specific list of batch codes. Consumers are advised to check the best-before date rather than trying to cross-reference individual batch numbers.

Consumers with mustard allergy who have Calbee Hot & Spicy Crisps bearing best-before dates up to June 5, 2026 face potential anaphylaxis risk if they eat the product — return it to any Lidl store immediately for a full refund.

Which Lidl snacks are recalled for salmonella?

The pattern across Lidl’s snack portfolio reveals that allergen and pathogen recalls operate independently, requiring shoppers to check specific hazard details rather than assuming a single recall issue covers all products.

The Calbee crisps recall is separate from any salmonella concerns — the Hot & Spicy and Pizza Chips were pulled specifically for undeclared allergens, not pathogen contamination. However, Lidl’s own product recalls page shows a broader pattern of snack alerts in recent months.

Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings

Lidl GB previously recalled Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings due to a salmonella contamination risk. That recall, separate from the Calbee allergen issue, affected a different product category entirely — savoury pork snacks — and involved a distinct food safety concern.

Other Lidl snack alerts

The pattern of frequent snack recalls at Lidl reflects a broader trend among budget supermarkets. The Grocer reported that Aldi and Lidl together accounted for 13% of all UK product recalls in 2025 — the highest combined share of any retailer pair.

Food Standards Agency (official UK regulator)

“The products are a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to mustard or celery.”

Why this matters

Allergen labelling failures can escalate to emergency room visits for people with severe allergies — making every recall a potential public health event, not just a product quality issue.

What is the Lidl crisps recall allergens list?

The two Calbee products currently flagged by Lidl through the FSA alert represent a straightforward allergen breakdown:

Undeclared mustard in Calbee Hot & Spicy

Mustard is the allergen in the Hot & Spicy variety — and it’s one of the 14 major allergens that UK food labelling laws require to be clearly highlighted. Mustard allergies can cause reactions including hives, swelling, breathing difficulties, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. The FSA has classified affected products as a possible health risk specifically for mustard allergy sufferers.

Other allergen risks at Lidl

In December 2025, Aldi separately recalled Dairyfine Salted Caramel Filled Gonks for undeclared peanuts — Food Manufacture noted — illustrating that allergen mislabelling is a broader issue across multiple retailers and product lines, not isolated to Lidl or the Calbee brand.

Earlier in 2025, Morrisons recalled Savers Salad Cream for undeclared egg and mustard, while Dunnes Stores pulled desiccated coconut for plastic contamination in October. The recall landscape is active across the sector, with budget supermarkets disproportionately represented in the statistics.

The trade-off

Lidl’s rapid expansion of own-brand snacks has outpaced supply chain quality controls — a pattern reflected in its top-of-table recall frequency for 2025.

Which supermarket has the most product recalls?

Aldi and Lidl together accounted for 13% of all UK product recalls in 2025 — the highest combined share of any retailer pair, according to The Grocer’s recall league table analysis. The two discount supermarkets have expanded their product ranges rapidly in recent years, with snack lines particularly aggressive in their market positioning.

Aldi and Lidl in 2025 league

The Grocer’s report confirms Aldi had the most individual recall events, followed closely by Lidl. Both discounters have prioritised volume and speed to market for their snack ranges — an approach that brings product turnover but increases the risk of labelling or production errors slipping through quality checks.

Recent Lidl vs others

Tesco and the other major supermarkets have also experienced recalls, but at lower frequency rates. The Calbee crisps recall landed at Lidl and Tesco simultaneously, illustrating that even the larger established retailers remain susceptible to manufacturer-level allergen failures.

Lidl (official retailer statement)

“If you have bought one of these products and believe you may be affected, do not consume it. Instead, please dispose of the product.”

What should you do if you have recalled Lidl crisps?

If you’ve identified Calbee Hot & Spicy Crisps or Pizza Crisps with best-before dates matching the recall window, the FSA and Lidl are clear: do not eat the product, even if you’ve eaten it before without issue. Allergen reactions can escalate with repeated exposure in sensitised individuals.

Return process

Consumers can return products to any Lidl store for a full refund — receipt is not required. GB News reported that Lidl’s customer care team is available to handle queries, and point-of-sale notices have been issued in stores to alert shoppers who may have purchased affected items.

Check Lidl website

Lidl’s official product recalls page lists the specific products and best-before dates in detail. Calbee’s consumer care team can be reached at 0330 660 0015 or via consumercare@calbee.co.uk for those with additional questions or who need support understanding their options.

The FSA confirmed that Calbee contacted allergy support organisations about the recall — an additional step that suggests the company understood the potential severity for sensitive consumers.

Shoppers with Calbee crisps matching the recall window should not consume them — take affected products to any Lidl store for a full refund and contact Calbee’s care line for allergy support if needed.

Recall Timeline

The Calbee crisps recall has a clear timeline anchored by the FSA alert and extending through mid-2026 as affected products work their way through the supply chain and home cupboards.

  • : Lidl announces recall of Calbee Hot & Spicy Crisps and Pizza Crisps
  • : Food Standards Agency updates alert FSA-AA-75-2025
  • : Last best-before date for Pizza Chips expires
  • : Last best-before date for Hot & Spicy Chips expires

The recall remains active until the final affected best-before date passes — meaning products could still be in consumers’ homes for several more months.

Confirmed

  • Calbee crisps mustard recall issued by Lidl and Tesco
  • FSA alert FSA-AA-75-2025 confirms undeclared mustard and celery
  • 55g and 105g Hot & Spicy packs affected up to June 5, 2026
  • 55g Pizza Chips affected up to April 28, 2026
  • Full refund available at Lidl stores without receipt

Unconfirmed

  • Specific batch codes beyond best-before dates
  • Number of units sold before recall
  • Whether other UK retailers beyond Lidl and Tesco sold affected products

What authorities say

Food Standards Agency (UK food safety regulator)

“The products are a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to mustard or celery.”

Lidl (Official retailer notice)

“If you have bought one of these products and believe you may be affected, do not consume it. Instead, please dispose of the product. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.”

For anyone with a mustard or celery allergy who has purchased Calbee crisps from Lidl or Tesco, the path forward is straightforward: return the product, seek a refund, and do not take a chance on consumption. No illnesses have been reported from this specific recall, according to the FSA, but allergen reactions are inherently unpredictable and can escalate rapidly in sensitive individuals. The extended best-before window means potentially affected products are still sitting in kitchens across the UK — making this a recall that requires active consumer attention, not passive awareness.

Related reading: Quality Street Paper Tubs · Carrot Cake Recipe UK

Additional sources

expressnewz.co.uk

Crisps have been at the center of several such alerts lately, much like the Ruffles crisps allergen recall that flagged undeclared milk and soya in Ruffles Sabor Jamon packs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat Lidl Calbee crisps if I’m allergic to mustard?

No. The Hot & Spicy variety contains undeclared mustard, which the FSA has classified as a possible health risk for anyone with a mustard allergy. Do not consume the product — return it to any Lidl store for a full refund.

Where can I check Lidl’s latest recalls?

Visit Lidl’s official product recalls page for a full list of current and resolved recalls. The FSA alert FSA-AA-75-2025 also contains the official product details and affected best-before dates.

Does Lidl refund recalled items without receipt?

Yes. Lidl offers a full refund for recalled products even without a purchase receipt. Simply return the product to any Lidl store and request a refund.

Are Lidl crisps safe after the recall date passes?

The recall applies to products with best-before dates up to June 5, 2026 for Hot & Spicy Chips and April 28, 2026 for Pizza Chips. Products with later best-before dates are not affected by this recall.

What other Lidl products have allergen issues?

Lidl has had multiple allergen-related recalls in 2025 alongside Aldi, with the two discounters accounting for 13% of all UK product recalls. This includes the separate Sol & Mar pork scratchings recall for salmonella and various other snack product alerts.

How common are recalls at Lidl?

According to The Grocer’s analysis, Aldi and Lidl together accounted for the highest share of UK product recalls in 2025 at 13% combined — reflecting rapid product range expansion outpacing supply chain quality controls.

Is salmonella in Lidl crisps or snacks?

The Calbee crisps recall involves allergens, not salmonella. However, Lidl separately recalled Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings for salmonella contamination — a different product and a different food safety issue.