Australian butter chicken brand recalled over highly allergenic nut

Makers of a food sauce adored by millions of Australians have issued an urgent recall after traces of a dangerous nut were uncovered.

A popular Indian food sauce has been urgently recalled after the manufacturer was found to have failed to declare traces of a highly allergenic nut.

Vegetali Foods announced it would be recalling its One Rusty Jack Indian butter chicken simmer sauce 400g due to undeclared tree and cashew nuts.

The Australian-made Indian food flavouring had been available at independent food retailers in NSW and Queensland – including IGA, the NSW Food Authority revealed.

“Any consumers who have a cashew allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the product is consumed,” the food authority announced on Friday.

“Consumers who have a cashew allergy or intolerance should not consume this product and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.”

One Rusty Jack Indian butter chicken Simmer Sauce 400g has been recalled.

The recall includes all products with a best-before date up to and including May 25, 2023.

Vegetali Foods is a boutique food manufacturer based on the NSW Central Coast that for more than 20 years has manufactured bespoke condiments for Australian food brands, their website states.

Allergies from cashews are often linked to severe and even fatal complications, with symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, swelling, and shortness of breath.

The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne states that peanut and cashew allergies are a common cause of anaphylaxis – the most severe, and life-threatening, form of reaction.

“Allergies to peanuts and tree nuts are more common in people who have other allergic conditions, such as hay fever, asthma and eczema,” the hospital states.