Black pudding and haggis products recalled over food poisoning fears

Inadequate procedures to control the bacteria clostridium botulinum - which may cause botulism - have prompted manufacturer Macsween of Edinburgh Ltd to take the voluntary action.

Food Standards Scotland says the firm is acting responsibly.

"Clostridium botulinum has not been detected in products and the action taken by the company is purely a precautionary measure at this stage.

"Clostridium botulinum may cause a serious form of food poisoning called botulism and our advice to consumers is to not eat the product and return it to the store where it was bought for a full refund," says an agency statement.

The affected items are:

• Macsween of Edinburgh (with use by dates up and including August 18): Delicious Every Day Haggis (227g, 454g, 500g); In a Hurry Haggis (130g); Haggis (1kg, 1.36kg); Traditional Haggis (454g, 907g); Delicious Every Day Haggis Gluten Free (454g); Haggis Canapes (all sizes); 3 Bird Haggis (all sizes); In a Hurry Vegetarian Haggis (130g); Delicious Every Day Vegetarian Haggis (227g, 454g, 500g); Vegetarian Haggis (1.36kg); In a Hurry Black Pudding (130g); Delicious Every Day Black Pudding (454g)
• Lidl - Donald & Sons (all date codes): Scottish Haggis (454g); Haggis Slice (227g); Black Pudding (300g); Black Pudding Slices (227g)
• Lidl - Warren & Sons (all date codes): Sliced Black Pudding (227g)
• Marks & Spencer (up to and including July 26): Scottish Haggis (454g); Scottish 2 Haggis Slices (130g)
• Marks & Spencer (up to and including July 27): 4 Black Pudding Slices (227g)
• Marks & Spencer (up to and including July 28): Black Pudding (200g); White Pudding (200g)

No other Macsween of Edinburgh Ltd, Lidl and Marks & Spencer products are known to be affected, says the Food Standards Agency.

Botulism is a rare but life-threatening condition. Initial symptoms may include feeling sick, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea or constipation. It requires immediate medical attention.