Aldi recalls 360g thin cut beef steaks over hidden milk: are you at risk from 26 October packs?

Shoppers across the UK have been checking fridges as a routine grocery favourite faces a packaging blunder with unexpected consequences.

Aldi has pulled a fast-selling steak line after the Food Standards Agency flagged undeclared milk in certain packs. The recall targets specific 360g Ashfields 30 Day Matured Thin Cut Beef Steaks with a single use-by date, and the guidance focuses on customers with a milk allergy or intolerance.

What shoppers need to know

Aldi is recalling Ashfields 30 Day Matured Thin Cut Beef Steaks, 360g, because milk is present but not listed on the label. The Food Standards Agency announced the issue after confirming a packaging error on a defined batch dated 26 October 2025. People who react to milk could face a health risk if they eat the affected steaks.

Do not eat the product if you have a milk allergy or intolerance. Return the 360g Ashfields thin cut beef steaks with use-by 26 October 2025 to any Aldi store for a full refund.

Which product is affected

The alert covers one product and size from Aldi’s Ashfields range. The concern is the absence of milk on the ingredient list, which removes a key warning for allergy-safe choices.

What Aldi and the FSA say

The Food Standards Agency says milk is present but not declared, creating a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents. Aldi has started a recall and placed notices in stores to explain the issue and refund process. The retailer has also been advised to notify allergy support organisations so members receive timely alerts.

Store notices explain why the steak is being recalled and what to do if you’ve bought it: return it for a refund, no receipt required.

What to do if you bought it

Immediate steps

• Check the front-of-pack use-by date: 26 October 2025 on the 360g thin cut beef steaks from the Ashfields range.
• If you have a milk allergy or intolerance, do not eat the steak.
• Keep the pack sealed, place it in a container or bag to avoid drips, and return it to any Aldi for a full refund.
• You do not need a receipt to obtain your money back.
• Call Aldi Customer Services on 0800 042 0800 with questions about the recall or the refund process.

If you have already eaten it

People with a milk allergy can experience hives, swelling, wheezing, abdominal pain, vomiting, or, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Those with lactose intolerance may develop bloating, cramps, and diarrhoea. If you have allergy symptoms, follow your personal allergy action plan and use your prescribed adrenaline auto-injector if needed. Seek medical advice from NHS 111 for non-urgent symptoms. Call 999 if you develop breathing difficulty, throat tightness, or feel faint.

Why undeclared milk matters

Milk is one of the 14 major allergens that food businesses must clearly highlight on labels in Great Britain. People with allergies rely on that bold or emphasised text to make quick, safe choices in busy supermarket aisles. When a label omits an allergen, the risk shifts from manageable to unpredictable because consumers cannot see the hazard. Raw meat can sometimes include marinades, basting ingredients, or processing aids that contain milk proteins. If these are present and not signposted, people who avoid milk can’t make an informed decision.

Allergy and intolerance differ in mechanism and severity. A milk protein allergy involves the immune system and can escalate rapidly, even with small amounts. Lactose intolerance involves difficulty digesting lactose and typically causes gastrointestinal symptoms. Missing labelling exposes both groups to unwanted exposure, but the consequences for allergy sufferers can be more acute and immediate.

How recalls work

When a food poses a risk, retailers remove it from sale (a withdrawal) or ask customers to send it back (a recall). For allergens, the Food Standards Agency issues an Allergy Alert so people can act quickly. Retailers must display clear point-of-sale notices where customers will see them, explain the issue plainly, and provide refund steps. Stores then handle returned stock securely and isolate it from sale. In this case, Aldi’s recall and the FSA’s alert aim to prevent anyone with a milk allergy or intolerance from unknowingly consuming the product.

What this means for your shopping this week

Check your fridge and any unopened meat you bought for batch details. If you freeze meat on the day of purchase, write the use-by date on the freezer bag so you can identify recalled items later. Keep a quick photo record of labels when you get home from the shop. That habit helps when recalls name specific sizes and dates, as they do here.

If you still want steak on the menu, consider other beef cuts and check the label carefully, especially if the product includes seasoning or a glaze. Use dairy‑free marinades at home, such as olive oil with garlic, herbs, lemon juice, or soy sauce alternatives if you also avoid gluten. The FSA alert does not mention other weights or dates for this product, so the recall appears limited to the 360g pack dated 26 October 2025.

Practical pointers for people managing milk allergy

• Read labels every time, even for familiar products. Recipes and suppliers can change without warning.
• Look for advisory wording such as “contains milk” or “may contain milk” and treat both as a risk if you are highly sensitive.
• Keep two adrenaline auto-injectors with you if prescribed, and check their expiry dates.
• Wipe kitchen surfaces and utensils after preparing any food that may contain milk to reduce cross-contact.

Where to get more help

Retailers can answer practical questions about refunds and store notices, and Aldi’s customer services line is open for this recall on 0800 042 0800. Allergy charities and support groups share timely alerts and practical living tips for label reading, recipe swaps, and eating out. Your GP or allergy clinic can review your management plan if you’ve had a recent reaction or your sensitivity has changed.