Festive drink warning for Britons: may cause rashes, vomiting and abdominal pain

12/22/2025

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Britons told 'do not drink' festive tipple that may cause rashes, vomiting and abdominal pain

Shoppers stocking up for the holidays have been urged to check their fridges after a Scottish brewery pulled a seasonal beer from sale. The withdrawal follows a safety alert that warns the drink contains an undeclared ingredient that could trigger serious reactions in some people.

Which product is affected and why it was pulled

Vault City Brewing has issued a recall for its festive Mince Pie Pastry Sour beer.

The move came after officials found the product contains milk, which is not listed on the can’s label. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) released the notice covering England and Scotland.

  • Product: Mince Pie Pastry Sour
  • Format: 440ml cans
  • Batch code: G840

This incorrect labelling means the drink may be dangerous for anyone with a milk allergy or intolerance.

Health risks and key symptoms to watch for

Milk allergies can produce a range of reactions. Most are mild but some can be life-threatening.

  • Itchy mouth or throat
  • Swelling of lips, face or eyes
  • Skin rashes such as hives
  • Gastrointestinal signs: vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhoea
  • Respiratory problems like wheeze or persistent cough

If breathing becomes difficult, or there are signs of collapse or loss of consciousness, treat as an emergency. Experts advise immediate use of adrenaline if available and calling an ambulance.

What consumers should do now

If you own a can from the affected batch, do not drink it.

Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. A receipt is not required.

For questions, customers may contact Vault City directly at info@vaultcity.co.uk.

  • Avoid consuming the drink if you have a milk allergy or intolerance.
  • Look for point-of-sale notices in shops explaining the recall.

How retailers and the brewery are responding

Retailers have been supplied with on-site notices to inform buyers. The brewery is cooperating with authorities to remove stock from sale.

Vault City, founded in 2018, operates from Portobello in Edinburgh. The company became well known for its sour beers and fruity releases.

Why the FSA issues allergy alerts

The Food Standards Agency uses allergy alerts to protect consumers when labelling is wrong or missing. If a product poses a risk it may be withdrawn from sale or formally recalled.

The alerts explain the nature of the hazard and recommend actions for shops and shoppers.

Other recent festive food warnings

Authorities have issued other holiday-season recalls this month.

  • Some festive flapjacks were withdrawn after containing undeclared almonds.
  • Supermarket crisps and other products have been subject to safety checks and occasional recalls.

As with the beer recall, the usual advice is to stop consumption and return affected items for a refund.

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