Known for combining stylish, budget-friendly furniture with a surprisingly popular selection of Swedish-inspired food, IKEA has become a favourite stop for many Australians who appreciate quality and value.
However, you might want to check your freezer before your next plant-based feast. The Swedish furniture giant has just issued a nationwide recall on one of its most popular vegetarian products. This precautionary move comes after concerns were raised about potential health risks associated with the item.
After discovering a rather unappetising surprise, IKEA recalled the SLAGVERK breaded wheat-based pieces: black rubber fragments lurking in the mix.
The recall affects the 750g frozen SLAGVERK packs, which have a best-before date of 19-08-2025 and article number 205.588.94.
These plant-based morsels, which have earned a glowing 5-star rating on IKEA’s website and are a staple for many vegetarians and flexitarians (individuals who primarily follow a plant-based diet), are described as ‘perfect to keep in the freezer and take out when you simply want to treat the whole family to a yummy plant-based meal’.
However, with the risk of ingesting black rubber, that family treat could quickly turn into a trip to the doctor.
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) announced the recall, warning that the product’s black rubber pieces could cause illness or injury if consumed.
While the recall notice doesn’t specify how the contamination occurred, foreign objects in food can pose a serious choking hazard or cause internal injury, especially for children, older adults, or anyone with dental issues.
If you’ve got a pack of SLAGVERK in your freezer, don’t be tempted to pick out any suspicious bits and hope for the best.
FSANZ and IKEA are urging customers not to eat the product under any circumstances. Instead, return it to your nearest IKEA store for a full refund—no receipt required.
If you’re worried you or a loved one may have already consumed some, and you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms, it’s best to seek medical advice immediately.
For more information, call IKEA’s customer service on (02) 9010 0264 or visit their website for the latest updates.
Not the only recall this week
Unfortunately, the SLAGVERK recall isn’t the only food safety scare making headlines. Just days earlier, Protea Foods Pty Ltd announced a recall of its Lekker Biltong Slices Traditional (100g) and Lekker Biltong Slices Peri-Peri Chilli (40g) due to mould contamination caused by a packaging fault.
These products, sold at Coles in New South Wales and independent retailers in Victoria and Western Australia, expire on 11/01/2026 and should also be returned for a refund.
And it’s not just food—recent weeks have seen recalls on everything from water bottles sold at Bunnings, Amazon and Harvey Norman, to a popular $5 Crocs accessory that poses a choking risk for children.
Australia’s food safety standards are among the strictest in the world, and FSANZ works closely with manufacturers and retailers to ensure that potential risks are dealt with quickly and transparently.
If you’re unsure about a product you’ve purchased, you can check the latest recall notices on the FSANZ website.
We’d love to hear your stories. Have you ever found something unexpected in your food or returned a product due to a recall? How did the company handle it? Share your experiences in the comments below, and help keep our community informed and safe.
Also read: IKEA’s latest update could completely change how you shop!
