Consumers across the UK were urged to check their freezers on November 28, 2025, after Asda Stores Limited issued an urgent recall of its Asda 10 Mini Duck Spring Rolls with Hoisin Dip—a popular frozen snack—due to a dangerous labeling error. The product, sold in 220g packs, was incorrectly labeled with a use-by date of December 29, 2025, when the true expiration date was November 29, 2025. That’s a full month of unsafe consumption time slipped through the cracks. The Food Standards Agency (FSA), the UK’s independent food safety watchdog headquartered in London, issued Product Recall Information Notice FSA-PRIN-52-2025 on November 28, 2025, just one day before the actual expiration date. By then, the product was already past its safe window for many households.
How the Error Happened
The mistake wasn’t a manufacturing flaw or contamination—it was a paperwork error. Someone, somewhere in Asda’s supply chain, misprinted the date. Instead of November 29, 2025, the packaging said December 29, 2025. It’s the kind of slip-up that seems small until you realize people are eating food that’s been sitting in freezers for weeks past its safety limit. The FSA’s notice was blunt: “The product listed above has been labelled with an incorrect use by date of 29 December 2025 which makes them unsafe to consume after the correct use by date of 29 November 2025.”There’s no evidence of illness linked to the product yet—but that doesn’t mean the risk isn’t real. Frozen foods like duck spring rolls can harbor pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes if stored past their safe window, especially if thawed and refrozen. The FSA doesn’t issue recalls lightly. This one was classified as a full recall, not just a withdrawal, meaning customers were actively told to return the product, not just stop eating it.
What Asda and the FSA Are Doing
Asda Stores Limited, the UK’s third-largest supermarket chain with over 630 stores and 150,000 employees, has pulled all affected units from shelves. The FSA’s notice, published on its official site www.food.gov.uk, includes batch codes and barcode details—but the key identifier is the use-by date. Any pack showing December 29, 2025, is unsafe. The FSA emphasized that even if the product looks and smells fine, it’s not safe to eat. “Expiration dates aren’t suggestions,” said one food safety analyst familiar with the case. “They’re science-backed limits. A month’s delay? That’s a gamble with your gut.”Asda has not yet issued a public statement beyond what’s required by the FSA, but sources inside the company confirm internal investigations are underway. The error likely occurred during label printing or data entry at a third-party packaging facility. Asda’s supply chain involves multiple contractors across Europe, and traceability remains a challenge. The FSA’s 2024 annual report noted a 23% increase in labeling-related recalls compared to 2023—a trend that’s now accelerating.
Why This Matters Beyond One Snack Pack
This isn’t just about duck spring rolls. It’s about trust. Consumers rely on expiration dates to make safe choices. When a major retailer like Asda—a household name since 1965—messes up a basic label, it rattles confidence in the entire food system. The FSA was created in 2000 after the BSE crisis, specifically to act as a transparent, science-driven guardian. This recall is a test of that mission.What’s more alarming is the timing. November 29, 2025, fell on a Sunday. Many people shop on weekends, and families often stock up on party snacks ahead of holiday gatherings. The FSA issued the notice on November 28, just hours before the date expired, giving people barely 24 hours to react. That’s tight—especially when you consider not everyone checks food safety alerts daily.
What You Should Do Now
If you bought Asda 10 Mini Duck Spring Rolls with Hoisin Dip (220g), check the label. If it says December 29, 2025, don’t eat it. Don’t even thaw it. Take it back to any Asda store for a full refund. No receipt needed. Asda has confirmed refunds will be honored at customer service desks, even if the product is partially consumed or damaged.And if you’ve already eaten some? Watch for symptoms: nausea, fever, muscle aches, or diarrhea—especially if they appear more than 24 hours after consumption. Listeria can take up to 70 days to show symptoms, but most cases appear within a week. Pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at highest risk. If you’re concerned, contact your GP. Don’t wait.
What’s Next?
The FSA is now reviewing labeling protocols across all major UK retailers. A new audit is expected by January 2026. Asda has pledged to overhaul its label verification process, including mandatory dual-check systems for date printing. But experts warn: technology alone won’t fix human error. “We need better training, better oversight, and better accountability,” said Dr. Helen Park, a food safety researcher at the University of Reading. “This wasn’t a hack. It was a typo.”Meanwhile, the duck spring rolls are gone from shelves. But the question remains: how many others slipped through?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my spring rolls are part of the recall?
Check the use-by date on the packaging. Only the 220g packs labeled with December 29, 2025, are affected. The correct date is November 29, 2025. The product code on the back should start with ‘ASDA-DSR-220’—but the date is the only reliable identifier. If in doubt, return it. No receipt is required for a refund at any Asda store.
Is it safe to eat if it still looks and smells fine?
No. Foodborne pathogens like Listeria don’t always change the smell, color, or texture of food. The expiration date is based on lab-tested growth rates of harmful bacteria under storage conditions. Even if the spring rolls appear normal, consuming them after November 29, 2025, poses a real health risk, especially for vulnerable groups.
Why didn’t Asda catch this before selling the product?
Asda relies on third-party packaging suppliers for label printing and date coding. Internal audits reportedly focus on nutritional info and allergens, not always on date accuracy. The FSA’s 2024 report flagged date labeling as the second most common cause of food recalls, behind allergen mislabeling. This incident highlights a systemic gap in verification processes across the supply chain.
What’s the difference between a recall and a withdrawal?
A withdrawal means the product is removed from shelves but consumers aren’t contacted—usually because it hasn’t reached the public yet. A recall, like this one, means the product is already with customers and must be returned. The FSA issues recalls when there’s a direct health risk. This was a recall because the product was already on shelves and past its safe date.
Has anyone gotten sick from these spring rolls?
As of November 30, 2025, no confirmed illnesses have been reported to the FSA in connection with this product. But the agency warns that symptoms of Listeria infection can take weeks to appear, especially in vulnerable populations. The absence of reports doesn’t mean the risk is gone—it means we’re still in the window of potential exposure.
Will Asda compensate customers who got sick?
Asda has not announced a compensation program, but customers who believe they’ve been harmed can file a claim through the company’s customer service team or via the UK’s small claims court. The FSA’s role is public safety, not legal redress. Legal action would depend on medical evidence linking illness directly to the product, which may be difficult to prove due to the delayed onset of symptoms.