Lorraine Williamson
A routine food-safety check has triggered a national warning for people with a milk-protein allergy. This follows a batch of gluten-free cream-filled cakes found to contain undeclared milk proteins. Spain’s food-safety watchdog, AESAN, confirmed the issue after receiving an alert through the country’s rapid-information system, SCIRI.
The cakes, sold under the brand NaturCeliac Gluten Free, were manufactured in Spain and initially distributed in the Community of Madrid, though officials have not ruled out the possibility of further redistribution to other regions.
How the alert emerged
The problem came to light when Madrid’s regional health authorities detected milk proteins in a batch that was meant to be safe for people avoiding lactose and other dairy derivatives. The product did not list milk proteins on its label. This is a breach that poses a risk exclusively to people with allergies to these proteins.
Food-safety alerts of this type are relatively common in Spain and across the EU, where strict allergen-labelling rules require manufacturers to highlight milk, gluten, nuts, and other major allergens to protect vulnerable consumers.
What consumers need to know
AESAN emphasises that the cakes do not pose any risk to the wider population, but anyone with a milk-protein allergy who has already purchased them should avoid eating them. People without that allergy can consume them safely.
The recalled batch is identified as:
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Product: Pastelitos rellenos de crema
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Brand: NaturCeliac Gluten Free
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Lot number: M16BB
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Best-before date: 16/11/2025
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Storage: Ambient temperature
Consequently, authorities are now checking that all affected products are withdrawn from sale.
A reminder of how vital allergen labelling is
Spain’s strict allergen-labelling rules have evolved over the past decade as the number of diagnosed allergies has continued to rise. Mislabelled dairy content remains one of the most common causes of product recalls, particularly in processed baked goods.
AESAN is urging consumers with allergies to stay up to date with alerts and to check labels carefully, especially when buying gluten-free or “free-from” products, which people often assume are suitable for multiple intolerances.
Where to find more guidance
AESAN has made additional information available for consumers on allergies, intolerances and gluten-related conditions, including practical labelling guides and advice for families managing food allergies.
Clear labelling
While this alert concerns a single batch, it adds pressure on manufacturers to tighten controls at a time when demand for gluten-free and allergen-friendly products is booming. For consumers with allergies, clear labelling remains the difference between a safe meal and a medical emergency—making vigilance essential.