AESAN issues two major food safety alerts ahead of the festive season

Spain’s food safety agency, AESAN, has issued two urgent warnings affecting consumers across several regions. One concerns a mislabelled chocolate advent calendar distributed without Spanish-language allergen information. The other expands an ongoing alert about Pseudomonas aeruginosa detected in bottled water sold under the brand Fuente Madre.

Both warnings were circulated through the national rapid information system SCIRI, and AESAN credits the companies and regional authorities for communicating the issues promptly.

These alerts come at a time when food safety bodies typically see a rise in seasonal products on sale. Consequently, vigilance remains high to prevent risks for vulnerable consumers.

Allergen warning over mislabelled Milka advent calendar

AESAN has cautioned people with allergies or intolerances to milk, soy, hazelnuts, other nuts, egg, wheat and gluten after the discovery that a Milka Pop-Up 3D Advent Calendar was being sold without mandatory Spanish-language labelling. The case was flagged by Madrid’s health authorities and confirmed by Mondelēz International, which notified regulators in line with EU food safety law.

Moreover, the absence of clear labelling means some consumers may unknowingly be exposed to allergens. Furthermore, AESAN stresses that the product poses no risk to the general population. However, anyone with the listed allergies who has purchased the calendar should avoid consuming it.

Product details supplied by AESAN:

• Product name: Calendario de Adviento Milka Pop-Up 3D

• Brand: Milka

• Lot number: CWS1252831

• Barcode: 7622202013584

• Best-before date: 31/03/2026

• Weight: 163 g

• Storage: Ambient

Initial distribution included Andalucía, Aragón, Catalunya, Comunidad Valenciana, Galicia, Murcia and the Basque Country. However, further redistribution cannot be ruled out. Regional authorities are verifying that all affected stock is removed from sale.

AESAN provides further resources for consumers on food allergies, gluten-related disorders and labelling requirements via its official website.

Expanded alert over contaminated Fuente Madre bottled water

AESAN has also updated its warning about Pseudomonas aeruginosa—a bacterium that can be harmful to vulnerable individuals—found in bottled natural mineral water from Castilla-La Mancha. The original alert, issued on 27 November, has now been widened after regional authorities detected the bacterium in two additional formats, prompting an immediate withdrawal from commercial channels.

The affected products are sold under the brand Fuente Madre, in 1.5L, 5L and 8L bottles. The latest findings add new lot numbers to the list and confirm the contamination across several sizes.

Updated product information:

• Product name: Natural mineral water

• Brand: Fuente Madre

• Formats and batch numbers:

  • 1.5 L (lot 1 040725)

  • 5 L (lot 5290425)

  • 8 L (lot L 8050525)

• Best-before date: 31/12/2027

• Storage: Ambient

Distribution has reached Andalucía, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, with the possibility of broader redistribution. Moreover, consumers who have these bottles at home are urged not to drink them.

What consumers should do

AESAN’s advice in both cases is clear. People with relevant allergies or intolerances should refrain from consuming the Milka Advent calendar from the affected batch. Anyone who has purchased Fuente Madre bottled water with the listed batches should avoid consumption and discard the product.

While neither alert poses a threat to the wider population, AESAN emphasises that rapid communication and product withdrawal are essential to prevent risk, particularly for children, older people and those with compromised immune systems.

Why these alerts matter

Food safety incidents often surface during routine checks or company notifications, underscoring the importance of traceability and clear labelling under the Spanish and EU regulatory frameworks. AESAN’s warnings arrive during a period when seasonal products and increased distribution volumes make monitoring even more critical.

As authorities continue verifying withdrawals across multiple regions, consumers are encouraged to stay informed via AESAN’s official alert portal, which tracks allergen risks, microbiological issues and labelling irregularities nationwide.

Strengthened vigilance as holiday trade peaks

With festive purchases in full swing, the latest AESAN food safety alerts underline how quickly an isolated issue can affect several regions. They also show how Spain’s coordinated SCIRI system enables early detection and swift intervention. More seasonal products will reach shelves in the coming weeks, so staying aware of updated advisories will help protect households with allergies, young children or other vulnerable individuals.