Urgent recall for popular British soft drink over 'potential risk to consumers'

Vimto fans have been warned to take a closer look at the fizzy drink label after the product was recalled from major supermarkets.

A version of the popular drink has been removed from the shelves after a labelling mishap posed serious problems for consumers with health issues. Bosses were forced to pull the original flavoured 500ml bottles due to a false statement that read "no added sugar". The Food Standards Agency issued an alert in a bid to reach customers who need to "manage their sugar intake" such as people with diabetes.

Shoppers have been urged to avoid drinking the product and have been told they can return it to the original store. Retailers describe Vimto as a "mixed fruit juice drink with flavourings, sugar and sweeteners." The sweeteners are known as Sucralose, Acesulfame K and the drink also contains natural extracts of fruits. Per 250ml, it contains 12g sugars/ 13 per cent. The FSA said: "Potential risk to consumers who need to manage their sugar intake. Nichols plc is recalling the above products.

"Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products. If you have bought the above products and need to manage your sugar intake, please do not drink them. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund."

Concerned customers can contact Nichols plc on 01925 222 222 or by reaching them via email at productenquiries@vimto.co.uk. The agency has released the following batch numbers that have been recalled at this time: 4051, 4052, 4073, 4074, 4050, 4051, 4072 and 4073.

The FSA's general advice about product recalls states: "If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product). The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers."