Lidl recalls tinned herring as labels fail to warn of fish content?

While it might sound rather obvious that the cans contain fish, the herring product was removed from the shelves of Lidl supermarkets in the U.K. 

Customers were advised to return them for a refund, due to the fact the labels did not warn of fish and other possible allergens contained in the product.

Under the Food Standards Agency (FSA) rules, every food product in the U.K. must be labeled in English to display any possible allergens, such as fish, milk, egg, gluten or mustard.

However, it was rather ironic that the herring fillets in tomato sauce had to be withdrawn, as the fact the cans contained fish wasn’t clearly displayed on the product.

Reportedly the FSA stated: "Lidl is recalling cans of Nixe brand assorted ‘Herring Fillets’ (200g) because they contain one or more of the following allergens: fish, milk, egg, mustard and wheat (gluten) which are not mentioned in English on the label.”

According to The Standard, the warning continued to say this could result in a possible health risk to anyone with an intolerance or allergy to one of the mentioned allergens.

It’s a bad week for herring lovers as reportedly the Herring Fillets in a Tomato and Red & Green Pepper Sauce, Herring Fillets in a Mustard Sauce and Herring Fillets in a Tomato & Pepper Sauce were also taken off the shelves.

LIDL RECALLS HERRING AFTER FAILING TO WARN TINS MAY CONTAIN FISH - The Sun. The world has gone mad. https://t.co/VWeQSgJbG1

— Clive Appleyard (@clivea) April 30, 2016

According to a Lidl spokesman, the products were withdrawn as the allergens weren’t mentioned on the labels and said, "If you have bought a product and have an allergy to fish, milk, mustard, egg or wheat do not eat it.” Especially if you are allergic to fish, it seems.

The spokesman went on to say purchasers could return the product to the Lidl store for a refund and that it was only the herring products that were affected by the recall.

For U.K. readers, all the affected tins of herring have a best before date of March 16, 2020.

People on social media were naturally confused with many heading to Twitter.

What's this? Lidl recalls herring fillets in tins because labels don't warn that the product 'contains fish'.

— Bob Bluffield (@bobbluffield) May 1, 2016

If you needed anymore proof that stupid is the new normal. A world where everyone's is to blame for your stupidity.https://t.co/Jh4MFuHnL2

— cwllwc (@cwllwc) April 30, 2016

A fishy story! Lidl recalls herring over 'may contain fish' warning | The Cornishman https://t.co/g1OiF7iVUd via @CornishmanPaper

— Stephen Payne (@peninsularian) April 29, 2016