Consumers across the UK were warned on December 15, 2023, not to eat certain canned bean products after Princes Group issued a voluntary recall over potential contamination with small rubber balls — a bizarre but serious safety hazard. The recall, coordinated by the Food Standards Agency and enforced by the Richmond upon Thames Borough Council Trading Standards department (reference 334420), affects products sold under the Branston, Sainsbury's, and Tesco brands. The contamination isn’t just a packaging flaw; it’s a physical risk. Imagine biting into your Sunday baked beans and finding a tiny rubber ball. That’s exactly what the authorities fear.
Which Products Are Affected?
The recall targets four specific items with precise batch codes and best-before dates:
- Branston Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce (4 x 410g multipack), batch code 3338, best before December 2025
- Sainsbury's Baked Beans & Pork Sausages in Tomato Sauce (400g can), batch code 3312, best before November 2025
- Tesco Mixed Bean Salad in Vinaigrette (400g can), batch code 3299, best before October 2025
- Tesco Baked Beans & Pork Sausages in Tomato Sauce (395g can), batch code 3312, best before November 2025
Notably, while the recall notice’s title mentioned Asda, no Asda-branded products were listed in the official documentation. That’s a detail that’s already causing confusion online — and a reminder that not all recall alerts are perfectly synchronized.
Why This Matters — And Why It Happened
The Richmond upon Thames Borough Council issued a blunt warning: “These products may contain small rubber balls which makes them unsafe to eat.” No sugarcoating. No vague language. This isn’t about mold or expired dates — it’s about foreign objects that could cause choking, dental damage, or internal injury if swallowed. The recall notice doesn’t say where the rubber came from, which production line was involved, or how many units were affected. That’s the frustrating part. For consumers, it’s not just about returning a tin — it’s about trusting the system.
Princes Group, a major UK food manufacturer headquartered in the North West, has a long history of supplying private-label products to supermarkets. Its reputation has been largely unblemished — until now. The rubber contamination likely stems from a breakdown in machinery seals or gaskets during the canning process. These parts wear down over time. In high-volume production, even a tiny fragment can slip through. The fact that this affected multiple brands suggests a shared production line or shared supplier. But no one’s saying that publicly.
What Consumers Should Do
If you’ve bought any of the listed products, don’t eat them. Don’t even open them. Don’t try to fish out the rubber — you might not see it. The official advice is clear: return the product to the store where you bought it for a full refund. No receipt needed. No questions asked. Sainsbury’s customers can call 0800 63 62 62 for assistance, though that number isn’t printed on the recall notice itself. Tesco’s customer service line is publicly listed, but again, the recall doesn’t direct people to it. That’s a communication gap.
The notice was published on the Richmond upon Thames Borough Council website, maintained by itsa Ltd., a digital services provider for local government. The document carries a 2024 copyright date — odd, since the recall was issued in December 2023. That’s likely a system glitch, but it’s another layer of confusion in an already messy situation.
Broader Implications for Food Safety
This isn’t the first time rubber has turned up in food. In 2021, a similar recall hit canned tuna in Australia due to degraded seals. In 2019, a UK snack brand pulled crisps after plastic fragments were found. But rubber in beans? That’s unusual. It raises questions about how often these incidents go unreported. Supermarkets rely on manufacturers to self-police. When a company like Princes Group — trusted by three of the UK’s biggest chains — slips up, it shakes consumer confidence.
The Food Standards Agency has been under pressure to improve transparency in recalls. This case, while contained, highlights how fragmented the system can be. The public learns about it through a local council’s website, not a national alert. No TV ads. No social media blitz. Just a PDF on a local government portal.
What’s Next?
Princes Group has confirmed it’s investigating the source of the contamination and has temporarily halted production on the affected lines. The Food Standards Agency is expected to publish a follow-up report within 30 days. Meanwhile, supermarket chains are reviewing their supplier audits. Sainsbury’s and Tesco, both headquartered in London and Hertfordshire respectively, have not commented publicly on whether they’ll change their quality control protocols.
One thing’s clear: consumers are being asked to do the work of regulators. We’re expected to check batch codes, remember expiration dates, and return products we might have already eaten. It’s a burden — and it shouldn’t be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my canned beans are affected?
Check the brand, batch code, and best-before date on the can. Only four specific products are affected: Branston (batch 3338, Dec 2025), Sainsbury’s (batch 3312, Nov 2025), and two Tesco varieties (batch 3299 or 3312, Oct/Nov 2025). If your can matches any of these, return it. If you’re unsure, take a photo of the label and contact the retailer’s customer service.
Can I get sick from eating one of these cans?
The rubber balls are small — typically under 5mm — but they’re hard and non-digestible. Swallowing one could cause choking, especially in children or elderly individuals. Even if swallowed without issue, it could cause internal abrasions or blockages. The risk is low if you’ve eaten one accidentally, but it’s not zero. If you experience pain or discomfort, seek medical advice.
Why wasn’t this recall announced more widely?
UK food recalls often rely on local Trading Standards departments to publish notices online, rather than national media campaigns. This one was only posted on Richmond upon Thames’ website, with no press release or social media push. That’s standard procedure for low-risk recalls — but this case shows how easily consumers can miss critical alerts without proactive outreach.
Why does the recall notice have a 2024 copyright date if it was issued in 2023?
The 2024 copyright likely reflects when the webpage was last updated or redesigned by itsa Ltd., the digital services firm managing the council’s site. It’s a technical glitch, not a sign the recall is fake. The recall date (December 15, 2023) and reference number (334420) are accurate. Always trust the official date and reference, not the copyright year.
Are other Princes Group products safe?
Yes. Only the four specific products listed are affected. Princes Group makes hundreds of canned goods, including soups, peas, and other beans, none of which are part of this recall. The contamination appears isolated to a single production batch used for these particular SKUs. But until the investigation concludes, it’s wise to check batch codes on any Princes-made products.
What’s being done to prevent this from happening again?
Princes Group has paused production on the affected lines and is reviewing its machinery maintenance schedules. The Food Standards Agency is expected to issue new guidance on rubber and plastic component monitoring in food processing. Industry experts say more frequent automated inspections and third-party audits could help — but those changes take time and investment.
