Dubai chocolate imports under scrutiny after FSA issues allergy warning

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a stark warning to allergy sufferers across the UK, cautioning that some imported Dubai-style chocolate products may not meet UK food labelling laws and could pose a serious health risk.

The alert comes amid a surge in popularity for Middle Eastern-inspired confectionery, with retailers racing to capitalise on TikTok-driven trends. However, not all products on the market are properly labelled, prompting urgent action from the FSA to protect consumers.

“The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don’t meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies,” said Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Advisor to the FSA.

Imported products not intended for the UK market may lack a full list of ingredients or fail to highlight allergens, in breach of legal requirements. UK food law mandates clear labelling of all 14 regulated allergens, which must be emphasised on packaging.

“Everybody should be able to trust that the food they buy is safe and what it says it is. That’s why the FSA has taken action on these imported products and has shared concerns with businesses and industry groups so they can be removed from shelves and online marketplaces,” the FSA stated.

Working with local authorities, the agency has already identified a number of problematic products that may also contain unauthorised colours and additives. In response, the FSA has begun sampling and surveying the market to determine the scale of the issue.

Stick with trusted retailers

The trend has seen major UK supermarkets, including Lidl, Aldi and Waitrose, introduce Dubai chocolate offerings inspired by pistachio and knafeh flavours. Luxury brand Godiva also re-entered UK grocery aisles last week for the first time in five years with a limited-edition Dubai-style chocolate bar sold exclusively at Tesco.

While most of these high-street products are safe and meet UK standards, the FSA warns that items sold through less regulated online marketplaces or smaller retailers may not.

“If you are looking to buy Dubai-style chocolate, we advise sticking with trusted retailers, like the ones you’d use for your weekly shop, as products are more likely to be made for UK consumers and so are safe to eat,” said Professor May.

Check labels carefully

The FSA is urging consumers to check labels carefully. Legally compliant packaging must include:

• The food name
• A full ingredients list with allergens emphasised
• The weight of the food in grams
• A best-before or use-by date
• The name and address of a UK or EU business, or the importer if the product originates from outside the UK or EU

“If you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you’re certain it’s intended for sale here,” added May.

Consumers concerned about products they have purchased should not eat them and are advised to report concerns to their local authority.

The FSA has confirmed it is working in partnership with allergy charities and local authorities to raise awareness and ensure any unsafe items are swiftly removed from sale.