A popular chocolate snack sold at TK Maxx and Home Sense has been urgently recalled over fears it could be dangerous to those with severe dairy allergies.

The retailers stuck a 'do not eat' alert on batches of Lokumella Mini Pistachio Bars. 

It is feared the sweet snack may contain hidden traces of milk, which is not featured on the label and poses a risk to anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk.

TK Maxx said the recall only affected packets of the chocolate bars sold between January and March 2025 with two different batch codes. 

These included the codes 758612 and 758664 which are visible on the price ticket and receipt. 

The retailer added: 'We are recalling the Lokumella Mini Pistachio Bars due to a safety issue. 

'They contain undeclared milk which could cause an allergic reaction. 

'If you purchased the product and are allergic to milk, please stop using it immediately and return to any TK Maxx or Homesense store.

'We are offering a full refund or a replacement for all affected products.'

People who cannot consume milk are either allergic to the proteins in cow's milk or they cannot digest the sugar in the product, known as lactose intolerance.

Milk allergy symptoms can range from a rash, itching and swelling on the skin to vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea that starts within minutes of eating or drinking items that contain dairy.

However, those who suffer from delayed cow's milk allergy may not have any symptoms until two days after exposure.

In severe cases, it can cause anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening reaction when swelling in the throat can block the airways.

A milk allergy can be diagnosed by a person’s immediate reaction to milk, as well as skin, blood and breath tests.

Around three in 100 babies have a cow's milk allergy but most grow out of it during their childhood.

Older children and adults who are allergic to cow's milk tend to have a more serious allergy.