Tesco has recalled a ready meal after discovering it contains undeclared wheat – posing a potential health risk to thousands of shoppers with allergies.

The supermarket said its Tesco Special Fried Rice (350g) has been pulled from sale because wheat is present in the product but is not mentioned on the label, meaning customers may unknowingly eat it.

Food safety officials warned the labelling error could be dangerous for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, the protein found in wheat, or those with coeliac disease, who must avoid the ingredient to prevent symptoms ranging from stomach upset to more serious reactions.

Wheat is one of the most common food allergens, and reactions can range from itching, hives and swelling to stomach pain, vomiting and breathing difficulties in more severe cases.

For people with coeliac disease, even small amounts of gluten can trigger an immune response that damages the lining of the gut – causing symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea and fatigue, and potentially leading to longer-term health problems if exposure continues.

The affected product has a use by date of 02 February 2026, and Tesco is urging customers to check their fridges and freezers.

In an allergy alert, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said wheat (gluten) was the allergen involved, and confirmed that the product is being recalled from customers.

Tesco said it has contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will notify members about the recall, and has issued a recall notice to shoppers explaining why the product is being withdrawn and what to do if they have purchased it.

Customers who have bought the product and have a wheat or gluten allergy or intolerance, or coeliac disease, are advised not to eat it.

Instead, Tesco is advising shoppers to return it to any Tesco store for a full refund.

The FSA said allergy alerts are issued when there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, either because it is withdrawn from shelves or recalled from customers. It added that action can be taken when allergy labelling is missing or incorrect, or if there is another food allergy risk.

The recall is listed under reference FSA-AA-08-2026, and shoppers who want further details can visit Tesco's customer contact page online.

The news comes as supermarkets and food manufacturers face growing scrutiny over allergen labelling, after a string of recalls linked to missing or incorrect ingredient information.