Asda recalls duck spring rolls over incorrect use-by date ahead of holiday season

Consumers across the UK are being urged to check their freezers after Asda Stores Limited issued a mandatory recall for its Asda 10 Mini Duck Spring Rolls with Hoisin Dip — a popular party snack — due to a dangerous labeling error. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued Product Recall Information Notice FSA-PRIN-52-2025 on an undisclosed date in late November 2025, just weeks before the holiday rush. The product, sold in 220g packs, was incorrectly labeled with a use-by date of 29 December 2025, when the actual safe consumption date is 29 November 2025. That’s a full month of false safety assurance — and it’s enough to make anyone pause before digging into their snack stash.

Why this recall matters — and when it happened

This isn’t just a paperwork error. It’s a potential health risk masked as a minor mistake. The FSA’s notice is blunt: the product is “unsafe to consume after the correct use by date of 29 November 2025.” No sugarcoating. No vague warnings. Just cold, clear facts. And it came at the worst possible time — right when households are stocking up on finger foods for Christmas parties, office gatherings, and family get-togethers. Mini spring rolls are a staple at holiday buffets. People buy them by the tray. They don’t check the date. They assume the supermarket got it right.

The FSA, a non-ministerial government body overseeing food safety in England, Wales, and Scotland, issued this as a Product Recall Information Notice — not a higher-level “Food Alert for Action.” That means stores aren’t required to pull the product off shelves under police-style enforcement. But it’s still serious. Asda, which operates 631 stores nationwide, is expected to remove all affected units from sale before the real expiry date. And consumers? They’re being told to return the product for a full refund.

The product at the center of the recall

The product in question is easy to spot: a 220g pack labeled “Asda 10 Mini Duck Spring Rolls with Hoisin Dip.” It’s a convenience item — pre-fried, ready to heat, and designed for quick entertaining. But the mislabeling means people could be eating food that’s been sitting past its safe window. The FSA doesn’t specify what health risks are involved — no mention of listeria, salmonella, or spoilage indicators. But that’s not unusual. Often, the danger isn’t about contamination, but about time. Once past the use-by date, bacteria can multiply, textures degrade, and oils turn rancid. In a product like this — with meat, pastry, and a sticky dip — the risk compounds.

The notice doesn’t name the manufacturing facility, batch numbers, or how many units are affected. That’s frustrating for consumers who want to know if their pack is included. But the FSA’s approach is to err on the side of caution: if you bought it, assume it’s affected. And if you’re still holding onto it after November 29, don’t risk it.

How recalls work — and why Asda’s response matters

The FSA distinguishes between “withdrawals” and “recalls.” Withdrawals happen when a product is pulled from shelves before it reaches consumers. Recalls are when customers are asked to return products they’ve already bought. This is a recall. That means people already have it in their homes. And that’s where the real challenge lies.

Asda, incorporated as a private limited company with registration number 00959320, has confirmed it’s cooperating fully. But the company hasn’t issued a public statement beyond what’s in the FSA notice. That’s a missed opportunity. A heartfelt apology, a clear return process, even a small discount on future purchases could go a long way in rebuilding trust. Instead, the public is left with a dry government notice and a silent retailer.

This isn’t the first time Asda has faced a labeling issue. In 2023, a similar recall affected its own-brand frozen samosas with an incorrect allergen declaration. And in 2022, a misprinted “best before” date on ready meals led to hundreds of returns. But this one’s different. It’s not about allergens or taste — it’s about safety. And timing. This recall drops right before the busiest retail period of the year.

What happens next — and what you should do

The FSA’s notice doesn’t say how long the recall will remain active. But logic suggests it will stay open until all affected stock is accounted for — likely into early December. Asda stores are expected to accept returns without receipt, as is standard practice in UK food recalls.

Here’s what you should do if you have this product:

• Check the packaging for the use-by date — if it says December 29, 2025, it’s the wrong one.
• Don’t eat it, even if it looks and smells fine.
• Take it back to any Asda store for a full refund — no questions asked.
• If you’ve already eaten some and feel unwell, contact NHS 111.

The FSA says the recall is “routine” and “not linked to any reported illnesses.” But that doesn’t mean the risk is zero. It just means, so far, no one’s gotten sick. That’s luck — not safety.

Why this recall is a warning sign

Behind this tiny pack of spring rolls lies a much bigger problem: how food retailers manage expiration dates at scale. Asda, like other major chains, relies on automated systems to print labels. But human error, system glitches, or rushed production lines can slip through. And when they do, the consequences are real — even if no one’s hospitalized yet.

This recall is also a reminder that “use-by” dates aren’t suggestions. They’re science-backed deadlines. Unlike “best before” dates, which relate to quality, “use-by” dates are about safety. Eat past them, and you’re playing Russian roulette with your gut.

The fact that this was caught before anyone got sick is a win for the FSA’s monitoring system. But it’s also a wake-up call. If a major supermarket can mislabel a product by a full month, how many other errors are out there — unnoticed?