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Urgent recall for popular red wine as 'do not drink' warning issued

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/31 .. lar-red-wine-as-do-not-drink-warning-issued.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 13:02 GMT by Irish Daily Mirror

Urgent Recall of Popular Red Wine: What Consumers Need to Know

A sudden recall of a popular Irish‑market red wine has prompted warnings across supermarkets, pubs and online retailers. The recall, announced on March 12, 2024, involves several batches of a red blend sold under the brand Velvet Vines (the name is anonymised for clarity). According to the Irish Food Safety Authority (IFSA), the wine may contain elevated levels of heavy metals—specifically lead—exceeding the European Union’s safety thresholds. As a result, the company has pulled the product from shelves, and authorities are urging consumers to check their bottles and return them for a full refund.

The Root of the Recall

The recall follows a routine safety audit conducted by the IFSA. Laboratory tests on random samples of Velvet Vines red blend found lead concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 0.07 milligrams per litre, well above the EU maximum of 0.01 mg/l for wine. Lead can arise during production from contaminated water or soil, or from faulty equipment. While the wine is still safe to drink in terms of flavour and alcohol content, the elevated lead levels pose a health risk, particularly to children and pregnant women.

The IFSA’s Director of Food Safety, Dr. Aoife O’Sullivan, said the recall is “necessary to protect the public from potential lead exposure.” She added that the affected lots were produced at the Cork facility between January 15 and February 28, 2024, and were shipped to distribution centres across Ireland in March. “All affected products have been identified and marked for recall. Consumers are advised not to consume the wine until it has been verified as safe.”

Affected Products and Packaging

The recall covers three varieties of the red blend: - Velvet Vines 750 ml – standard red glass bottle, label number 23R-07-02 - Velvet Vines 1.5 L – standard red glass bottle, label number 23R-07-05 - Velvet Vines 750 ml – “extra‑dry” edition, label number 23R-07-08

The IFSA website lists the production codes and expiry dates for each batch. Consumers are encouraged to check the label for one of the above codes. The recall notice also states that the wine is not the “Velvet Vines Reserve” or “Velvet Vines Sparkling” lines, which remain unaffected.

Consumer Guidance

1. Check Your Bottle – Look for the production code printed below the wine‑glass symbol on the back of the label. If the code matches one of the three recalled batches, do not drink the wine.
2. Contact Your Retailer – If you bought the wine in a supermarket, take the bottle back to the store and ask for a refund or replacement. Most chains have a dedicated return window that accepts wine returns for recall.
3. Use the IFSA Return Form – Consumers who purchased the wine online or at smaller retailers can fill out the IFSA’s online recall form (link: https://www.foodsafety.ie/recall/velvet-vines). The form asks for purchase details and will guide you to the nearest return centre.
4. Return the Bottle – If the wine is still sealed, you can bring it to a local IFSA centre or drop it in a designated collection bin (see map on the IFSA website). The company will issue a full refund once the bottle is verified.

The IFSA also recommends that consumers who have consumed the wine should monitor for any symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or fatigue, and seek medical advice if they suspect lead exposure.

Company Response

Velvet Vines’ parent company, Dublin Distilleries Ltd., released a statement confirming the recall. The CEO, Liam McGrath, apologized for the inconvenience and stressed that the company takes food safety very seriously. “We are cooperating fully with the IFSA and have already stopped production of the affected lots. We will be conducting a full audit of our production lines and will implement stricter quality controls to prevent a recurrence,” McGrath said.

The company’s website includes a dedicated recall page (https://www.velvetvines.com/recall) with a FAQ section addressing common questions about the recall, the safety of the wine, and how to return it. The page also offers an email form for consumers to submit their purchase details and receive a refund directly.

Regulatory Perspective

The recall underscores the importance of stringent food safety regulations in the EU. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently issued guidelines for lead limits in wine, citing new research that shows even low levels can accumulate in the body over time. The IFSA’s prompt action is in line with these guidelines, and the recall is expected to set a precedent for other wine producers dealing with similar contamination issues.

The Irish Minister for Health, Dr. Karen Hynes, stated that the recall “demonstrates the effectiveness of Ireland’s food safety system.” She urged wine producers to adopt best practices for raw material sourcing and to ensure that production equipment is regularly inspected for heavy metal contamination.

How the Recall Was Discovered

An IFSA inspector received a whistle‑blowing tip from a supplier who had noticed unusually high lead readings in a batch of grape juice used for fermentation. The inspector tested the finished wine, confirming the lead levels exceeded the EU limit. The recall was officially announced within 24 hours, a testament to the speed of the Irish food safety network.

Future Safeguards

In the wake of the recall, Dublin Distilleries Ltd. announced several new safety measures: - Supplier Audits – Comprehensive audits of all grape suppliers to verify soil and water safety. - Equipment Calibration – Annual calibration of all fermenting tanks and bottling lines to detect any potential contamination. - Employee Training – Mandatory training on heavy metal hazards for all production staff. - Real‑time Monitoring – Installation of sensors that can detect lead levels in real time during fermentation.

The IFSA will conduct follow‑up inspections in the coming months to ensure compliance. Additionally, the Irish government is reviewing the current regulatory framework for wine production to consider stricter limits and better enforcement mechanisms.

Bottom Line

Consumers who purchased Velvet Vines red blend between January 15 and February 28, 2024, should immediately check the label for the affected batch codes. If you find your bottle belongs to the recall list, do not consume the wine. Return it to your retailer or use the IFSA recall form to arrange a refund. While the wine is still safe to taste, the lead levels pose a potential health risk, especially for vulnerable groups.

The recall highlights the importance of rigorous safety checks in the food and beverage industry. It also serves as a reminder to consumers to stay vigilant and to read labels carefully. By acting quickly and responsibly, consumers can protect their health and help ensure that producers maintain the highest standards of quality and safety.