Latest news with #supermarkets
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Mini Milk ice lollies are urgently recalled by major UK supermarkets over ‘health risk' as shoppers warned ‘do NOT eat'
A POPULAR sweet treat has been urgently recalled from shelves over fears it could pose a life-threatening risk to customers. Unilever has pulled their summer product from major UK supermarkets after a labelling error. Shoppers have been warned not to eat Wall's Mini Milk Vanilla Strawberry & Chocolate Ice Cream Lollies. The ice cream contains milk and may have pistachios, peanuts and soya which could endanger allergy sufferers. The Food Standards Agency confirmed that labels on certain 10x35ml packs display ingredients in Spanish rather than English. It means customers with an allergy or intolerance to milk, soya or nuts could miss the important allergen information. Supermarkets have put out point of sale notice which explains why the product has been recalled. Affected products show a use by date up to May 2027 which can be found on the side of the box. Consumers with allergies have been asked to contact Unilever for more guidance and refund. A national alert was also issued by the FSA, who advised Brits to avoid the product. Unilever has apologised to the customers and added that no other Wall's products have been affected. The statement read: " We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your co-operation." Allergy alert for chocolate cupcakes Exposure to traces of peanuts can prove fatal for those who suffer with the allergy. It comes as a mum issued a stark warning after her allergic 20-year-old daughter died after eating a few mouthfuls of a ready meal. Jess North, who had a severe peanut allergy, tragically died from an anaphylactic reaction on May 9, 2021. Devastated Mum Maxine, from Aldingbourne, West Sussex, told how her daughter had only consumed "a couple of mouthfuls". The brave mum has since been on a mission to raise awareness over severe allergies - and in particular the lack of up to date epipens. The signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis + what to do SYMPTOMS of an allergy usually occur within minutes of contact with with the offending food or trigger, but they can also come on up to one hour later. Most allergic reactions are mild but they can also be moderate or severe. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction which can be life threatening. In some cases, anaphylaxis symptoms lead to collapse and unconsciousness and, on rare occasions, can be fatal so it's important to know how to recognise them and act quickly. Mild to moderate symptoms include: Itchy mouth, tongue and throat Swelling of lips, around the eyes or face Red raised itchy rash (often called nettle rash, hives or urticaria) Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea Runny nose and sneezing Severe symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Swelling of your throat and tongue Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing Feeling tired or confused Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting Skin that feels cold to the touch Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet Anaphylaxis and its symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency. Follow these steps if you think you or someone you're with is having an anaphylactic reaction: Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions are included on the side of the injector. Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you're having an anaphylactic reaction. Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you're struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you're pregnant, lie on your left side). If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it's still in the skin. If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector. Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better. Sources: Allergy UK, NHS
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Retail boycott gains momentum in southeast Europe
Retail consumers across Southeast and Eastern Europe have launched a wave of boycotts since late January 2025, protesting against surging retail prices. What began in Croatia has now spread to neighbouring countries, with demonstrators accusing major retailers of unfair pricing and coordinated price increases. In Croatia, the initial protests began with calls to avoid certain supermarkets suspected of inflating prices beyond inflation rates. Citizens used social media to organise and share information about which chains to avoid and what alternatives to consider. The movement rapidly gained support, particularly in urban centres where the cost of living has sharply increased over the past year. Neighbouring countries including Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia have since seen similar actions. While the scale and format of the protests vary, a common message links them: frustration over the rising cost of everyday essentials and a belief that retailers are driving prices up without justification. Many protestors claim that large supermarket chains are engaged in price-fixing—artificially keeping prices high despite changes in wholesale costs. Although no formal investigations have been launched in most countries, some consumer advocacy groups have begun collecting data to determine whether pricing practices violate competition laws. In Croatia, the movement intensified after several major brands increased the prices of staple items such as bread, milk and cooking oil, despite stabilising costs in the global supply chain. This has raised questions over transparency in pricing and whether market dominance is being used to the disadvantage of consumers. The protests have triggered widespread discussion about pricing regulation and the responsibility of retailers during economic instability. Some governments in the region have acknowledged the concerns and indicated that they are monitoring the situation. Consumer protection agencies are being urged to conduct audits and review pricing policies, while calls for more oversight have grown louder. Retailers have mostly refrained from responding in detail, though some industry representatives argue that operating costs and supply chain pressures remain high. Still, protestors say these explanations do not justify the extent of recent price hikes, particularly on essential goods. As economic pressures continue in the region, the retail boycott movement shows no signs of slowing. With digital platforms amplifying calls for action, consumers across Southeast Europe appear more determined than ever to challenge what they view as an unfair retail landscape. "Retail boycott gains momentum in southeast Europe" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Supermarkets could be forced to ensure shoppers make healthier food choices in a bid by ministers to tackle the obesity crisis
Supermarkets could be forced to ensure shoppers make healthier food choices in a bid by ministers to tackle the obesity crisis. Plans are being drawn up for supermarkets to promote fruit and vegetables to customers instead of fattening items like crisps and chocolate, according to the i newspaper. This will be done using nudge tactics to convince shoppers to make healthier choices during their weekly shop. The proposals are believed to be part of Health Secretary Wes Streeting 's ten-year NHS plan which is due to be published next week. Under the shopping policy, the largest retailers will be forced to record data which shows how successful they are in convincing consumers to swap out fattening items for healthier alternatives. It could result in supermarkets adjusting the layout of their stores so healthy items are displayed more prominently. Retailers have the ability to reformulate their own-brand products to make them more healthy as well as change signage and marketing to make nutritious foods look more appealing, according to policymakers. Details of the proposal are yet to be completely signed off but officials believe that providing supermarkets with clear targets on encouraging shoppers to make better choices could help reduce obesity levels in the country. The plans are based on a ten-year obesity blueprint which was developed by think tank Nesta. 'We urgently need to reshape our food system so that the healthier option is the easiest option for everyone, regardless of where you buy your food,' it said in its report. 'By implementing ambitious yet achievable mandatory health targets for retailers, we can make real progress towards these goals and start turning the tide on obesity once and for all.' Labour MPs have been asking the Health Secretary to adopt the proposals privately and all major supermarkets have been briefed on it. One Labour MP, who supports the policy, said: 'These are really simple things that you can change, and it may mean giving supermarkets a bit of a hit. But it's how you get people to make changes to their behaviour. 'It's a bit like the smoking in pubs. People were dead against it and then when they did it, even smokers supported it - that switch in behaviour that is seen as unthinkable, but that's how you change things.'
Telegraph
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
How to appeal parking and speeding tickets
Motorists paid out a record amount of £620m in parking fines to councils during the 2023-2024 financial year, as town halls hit drivers with 1,000 tickets every hour. Meanwhile, private parking firms issued 7.8m fines between April and June last year – the highest on record, and equivalent to 43,000 a day. The industry has seen huge revenue increases over the past few years, and this is, in part, likely to be down to an increasing number of companies such as supermarkets, shopping centres and leisure facilities paying parking firms to patrol their car parks. The vast majority of the time, you'll be left with little option but to swallow your pride and cough up the cash. But these fines are also big business, and occasionally you will have been unfairly treated and have grounds to fight back. Here, Telegraph Money explains when a traffic violation punishment could be deemed unfair and give you the tools you need to fight it. When do I have to pay for a parking ticket? What are the different types of parking tickets? Can I just ignore a private parking ticket? Reasons for appealing a parking ticket Can I challenge a speeding ticket? When do I have to pay for a parking ticket? The short answer: when you have broken the clearly stated terms and conditions of the car park where you left your car. The long answer: it's complicated. Sometimes the terms and conditions are not made clear enough, or there might have been a mistake on the part of the firm enforcing the ticket. If this is the case, then you may have a case to challenge it. But how you do this will depend on the type of ticket – and who has issued it. What are the different types of parking tickets? Broadly speaking, there are two categories of parking ticket: those issued by an official body, usually a local authority, and those issued by private companies. Councils and other official bodies tend to issue fines as a 'penalty charge notice', 'fixed penalty notice' or 'excess charge notice'. Expect to receive these at council-run car parks or for double yellow line offences. Private parking firms typically issue fines called something like a 'parking charge notice' – note the copycat acronym with an official 'penalty charge notice'. These are dished out at locations such as hospitals, retail parks and supermarkets. As Telegraph Money's resident solicitor Gary Rycroft pointed out, parking charge notices from private firms are not actual fines, but instead 'invoices' to collect payment for a perceived breach of the conditions. He said: 'Parking tickets issued for private land are very often made to look like the notices issued by a local authority. They are often put in yellow plastic covers and are called names similar to the official notices. But they are imposters, with no official legal status.' What is the five-minute rule? Motorists now have more time to pay for car parking as the controversial five-minute rule has been scrapped. Private car park users were commonly ticketed for failing to pay within a certain time – usually five or 10 minutes – after arriving at a car park. A woman was taken to court last year by a private parking company which demanded she pay £1,906 after poor mobile phone signal meant she repeatedly took more than five minutes to pay after entering a car park in Derby. However, in early 2025, the industry's two trade associations said their code of conduct would be updated to provide a 'safeguard' when motorists experience delays in making parking payments. The British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) said drivers should no longer be issued tickets for using privately owned car parks where a fixed camera monitors when cars enter and exit, as long as they pay before they leave. The change does not apply to council-run car parks or those where wardens are deployed. Can I challenge an unfair local authority parking fine? Local authority-issued tickets are legally enforceable, meaning you do have to pay. You will usually receive a discount if you pay within a set time period, often two weeks. However, if you do feel you have a legitimate reason for arguing that the ticket should be nulled then the council or official body will have a clear procedure for processing appeals. They will usually be fairly reasonable if you can prove your case. If your appeal is rejected then you will have to pay up, but most councils will honour the early payment discount if you appealed within the time limit. Challenging an unfair private parking ticket While parking tickets issued by private companies are not legally enforceable, making a challenge is still only worth doing if you genuinely feel that the ticket was issued unfairly. If you simply overstayed at a car park and the time limit was clearly stated then you are unlikely to be successful. However, there are reasons that the ticket may be unfair, including mistakes on the ticket or a lack of signage. Collect as much evidence as you can. This could include photographs of unclear signage, or that your car parked within designated bays. Next, it is worth reporting the unfair ticket to the landowner, which will have contracted the company to run the car park. It may not be aware of the issue and this could be the quickest way to a resolution. For example, one Telegraph Money reader was on holiday in the Lake District and had parked in the hotel car park. The hotel had failed to tell him clearly enough that he needed to register his vehicle to avoid a charge, and a week later he received seven parking tickets worth £700. He contacted the hotel manager to explain the situation, and provided proof that he had told hotel staff that he had a vehicle in the car park, and his parking tickets were subsequently cancelled. Lodging an appeal The next step is to check whether the company issuing the ticket is part of a registered trade body: the British Parking Association or the International Parking Community. If the answer is yes, then the best course of action is to follow the official appeals route. Firstly, complain directly to the company, stating your case and giving supporting evidence. If this is unsuccessful then the trade body will have an independent appeals process. If the company is not part of a trade body then the picture is a little murkier. Some experts argue that you should not use the company's appeals process as there is no independent oversight. Instead, you could send a letter to the company, firmly stating your case and informing it that you do not intend to pay the fine. Be aware that, if you choose to take this route, then the firm could choose to take you to court which, even if you are successful, will be costly and time consuming. Mr Rycroft said: 'In any court action it is possible to make an offer of settlement before the hearing date and always remember pursuing a court claim will be costing the company time and money. 'That said, they may feel compelled to see it through so they are not seen as a soft touch. Like any legal case, only defend it if you feel very confidently you have grounds to.' Can I just ignore a private parking ticket? If the parking firm is a member of a trade body, then it can apply to the DVLA for the details of the registered keeper of a vehicle to track you down, so ignoring the ticket is not advisable. If it is not a member, then it won't be able to make an application to the DVLA. However, that does not mean it doesn't have access to other ways to track you, so think very carefully before simply ignoring a ticket. Reasons for appealing a parking ticket If you feel hard done by, there are reasons to appeal your parking fine: The parking signs or road markings were unclear: The terms and conditions of using a car park should be made clear on nearby signs. You should provide a photo to show the lack of road markings or signs, or if they were confusing. There was no way to pay: Sometimes machines are broken. Your ticket should be cancelled if a parking meter was out of action and there was no other way to pay. You'll need to provide evidence of this. You were charged too much. According to Citizens Advice, the amount you're charged will fall into a higher or lower band. Parking on a double yellow line heralds a higher band, while overstaying is a lower band offence. Make sure to challenge if you've been put in the wrong band. Your car broke down. The ticket issuer should be lenient if your car has an issue and cannot leave the car park You were only just out of time: You should be given a few minutes after your parking runs out. This grace period means it could be worth appealing if your overran by less than 10 minutes. Can I challenge a speeding ticket? If you receive a speeding ticket, you will be offered a fine and a speed awareness course if it is your first offence. Nick Freeman, the solicitor dubbed Mr Loophole, has successfully defended a number of celebrity clients in overturning fines for traffic violations. However, he said: 'If you are offered a course I would take it. It's cheap and quite instructive, and you avoid the hassle of going to court. You get one chance every three years.' If it is a case of mistaken identity, he said you should simply contact the enforcement body with evidence of this. There could also be technical grounds to challenge a ticket if it was not issued within 14 days of the offence, or if the camera was not correct in tracking your speed. However, he warned that your case could take as long as a year to come to court and could be costly. 'If you are convicted you will have to pay the fine and a victim surcharge.' Speeding myths Contrary to popular belief, the police do not need to tell you when they are conducting speed traps, Mr Freeman said, and he advised using the Waze navigation app which will flag any upcoming patrols, which will have been reported by other Waze users. Similarly, your speedometer being inaccurate is not an excuse for speeding, but if this is the case then you could apply for an absolute discharge to at least avoid the points being added to your driving licence. Temporary speed limits on motorways are enforceable just like any other limit, so you should follow the rules. And while Mr Freeman says that most police forces will not prosecute drivers who are up to 10pc + 1mph over the official limit, it is still a good idea to stick within the law. What if I get a ticket for using my mobile phone? The laws regarding mobile phone use behind the wheel have been toughened up in recent years. It used to be the case that your phone had to be used for 'interactive communication' for it to be an offence. But now, you could be prosecuted for any mobile phone use and handed six points. Mr Freeman says the new law makes it much harder than it was to challenge this kind of ticket.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Retail boycott gains momentum in southeast Europe
Retail consumers across Southeast and Eastern Europe have launched a wave of boycotts since late January 2025, protesting against surging retail prices. What began in Croatia has now spread to neighbouring countries, with demonstrators accusing major retailers of unfair pricing and coordinated price increases. In Croatia, the initial protests began with calls to avoid certain supermarkets suspected of inflating prices beyond inflation rates. Citizens used social media to organise and share information about which chains to avoid and what alternatives to consider. The movement rapidly gained support, particularly in urban centres where the cost of living has sharply increased over the past year. Neighbouring countries including Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia have since seen similar actions. While the scale and format of the protests vary, a common message links them: frustration over the rising cost of everyday essentials and a belief that retailers are driving prices up without justification. Many protestors claim that large supermarket chains are engaged in price-fixing—artificially keeping prices high despite changes in wholesale costs. Although no formal investigations have been launched in most countries, some consumer advocacy groups have begun collecting data to determine whether pricing practices violate competition laws. In Croatia, the movement intensified after several major brands increased the prices of staple items such as bread, milk and cooking oil, despite stabilising costs in the global supply chain. This has raised questions over transparency in pricing and whether market dominance is being used to the disadvantage of consumers. The protests have triggered widespread discussion about pricing regulation and the responsibility of retailers during economic instability. Some governments in the region have acknowledged the concerns and indicated that they are monitoring the situation. Consumer protection agencies are being urged to conduct audits and review pricing policies, while calls for more oversight have grown louder. Retailers have mostly refrained from responding in detail, though some industry representatives argue that operating costs and supply chain pressures remain high. Still, protestors say these explanations do not justify the extent of recent price hikes, particularly on essential goods. As economic pressures continue in the region, the retail boycott movement shows no signs of slowing. With digital platforms amplifying calls for action, consumers across Southeast Europe appear more determined than ever to challenge what they view as an unfair retail landscape. "Retail boycott gains momentum in southeast Europe" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
