Uncle Ben’s rice pouches recalled over concerns product 'may contain glass'

A type of Uncle Ben's ready-to-heat rice pouches are being recalled in the UK due to concerns the product may contain glass.

Mars Food UK issued a recall on Monday for its Uncle Ben's Brown Basmati rice pouches.

The Food Standards Agency said: "The possible presence of glass makes this product unsafe to eat".

It advised those who have bought the item not to eat it but instead return the rice pouch to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.

The FSA added that point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling the product.

The recall notice is for 250g pouches with a range of best before dates between November 17, 2020 and July 19, 2021.

A notice from the manufacturer said: "Uncle Ben's is voluntarily recalling Uncle Ben's Brown Basmati 250g ready to heat rice pouches with the below best before dates.

"This is a precautionary recall due to the possibility of the presence of glass".

Customers can contact Uncle Ben's consumer care line on for a full refund.

It comes after the rice brand announced it was evolving its visual identity in an effort to address "racial bias and injustices".

The Uncle Ben character, depicted on the brand's packaging as an African-American rice grower, first appeared in the early 1940s and has long been criticised as racist.

In a statement on June 17, the brand's parent company Mars Incorporated said that the exact changes and timing are still being decided, but “all possibilities” are being evaluated.

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Uncle Ben’s 'evolving' its visual identity to address 'racial bias'