Jimmy's recalls pies following 'choking incident'

Someone with an MSG allergy experienced a "choking incident" after eating a pie. Photo / Supplied

The Ministry for Primary Industries has issued a recall notice for Jimmy's Pies after someone with an MSG allergy experienced a "choking incident" after eating a pie.
The notice, published online today, recalls specific batches of Jimmy's brand Mince and Mince and Cheese pies "due to the presence of an undeclared ingredient, monosodium glutamate (MSG)."

Varieties of the noted Central Otago brand's individual, paper-wrapped pies affected include Jimmy's Mince and Cheese Pie (170g), Jimmy's Mince Pie (170g).

Batches up to and including number 8250, and after 8253, are not affected by the recall.

MPI advised people with an MSG allergy or intolerance should not consume the product.

"If you have consumed this product and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.

"If you are not allergic or intolerant to MSG, this recall does not affect you," the statement said.

Jimmy's owner Dennis Kirkpatrick said the "unintentional" addition had come to light when a customer queried the company's use of MSG in its pies recently.

The unnamed woman's husband - who has an MSG allergy - had experienced a "choking incident" after eating a mince pie about a fortnight ago, before recovering unharmed.

After hearing from the customer, Jimmy's had tracked the source of the MSG, which had inadvertently been included in an ingredient supplied to the company.

Following the incident, Mr Kirkpatrick said the company had worked closely with MPI to resolve the incident, leading to today's recall.

"We take an incident like this very seriously, and have apologised to the customers concerned, and are taking steps to recall, label or make our customers aware of any pies containing MSG they may have in storage."