Urgent warning over Kellogg's chocolate Cornflakes as the £2.75 breakfast cereal is recalled over choking risk

The cereal may contain 'hard lumps' which could get stuck in people's throats

Shoppers have been urged by Tesco and other stores to bin a favourite brand of chocolate breakfast cereal over concerns it could choke customers.

The £2.75 boxes of Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chocolate Flavour cereal are feared to contain 'hard lumps' which could get stuck in people's throats or cause dental damage.

Government health watchdog the Food Standards Agency advised shoppers to dispose of the 450g packs and ask for a full refund.

Chicago-based Kellanova, formerly Kellogg Company and the maker of Kellogg's cereals in Europe, said it is 'voluntarily recalling Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chocolate Flavour cereal due to a quality defect.

The company said: 'This voluntary consumer recall relates to Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chocolate Flavour cereal which is a new product on sale since January 2024 and available in Tesco, One Stop, Londis, Budgens, Booker Premier stores and Booker Cash & Carry outlets.'

The £2.75 boxes of Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chocolate Flavour cereal are feared to contain 'hard lumps' which could get stuck in people's throats or cause dental damage

The boxes affected by the recall have best before dates from December 6, 2024 to April 28, 2025.

Kellanova continued: 'Following some consumer complaints, the company found that a small proportion of boxes could contain hard lumps of cereal that do not break down when eaten with milk.

'This means there is a minimal risk these hard lumps could potentially cause dental damage or be a choking hazard.'

Kellanova assured customers that the recall does not affect Kellogg's Corn Flakes Original cereal or any other Kellogg's product.

The company added: 'Kellanova is asking consumers to check their cupboards and if they have a box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chocolate Flavour cereal, please dispose of it.

'Consumers can contact the Kellanova Customer Care team online with any questions on what to do and how to receive reimbursement.'

Kellanova 'apologised for any inconvenience caused'.

A spokesperson said: 'Making good food which is safe and high quality is our number one priority at Kellanova.

'Clusters of cereal forming during production can be a normal occurrence and these usually break up when eaten or placed in milk.

'But when we spotted that hard lumps of cereal were forming in a very small amount of our new Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chocolate Flavour cereal, we took the decision to recall all products.

Government health watchdog the Food Standards Agency advised shoppers to dispose of the 450g packs and ask for a full refund

'It's important to say that the risk of injury from these hard lumps of chocolate cereal is minimal but we're not willing to compromise on quality or safety.

'We are asking customers and consumers to dispose of any product they have and contact us for a refund. We have also let the regulator know about this issue and are working with them on next steps.'

The Food Standards Agency said: 'Sometimes there will be 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).

'Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect or if there is any other food allergy risk.

'When there is a food allergy risk, the FSA will issue an Allergy Alert.'