Confused Flour Beetle Stumbles Into Quaker Oats

The UK Food Standards Agency is advising consumers that Quaker Oats has recalled some 1.5Kg cartons of Quaker Oats Original and 1.0Kg cartons of Quaker 'Jumbo' Rolled Oats due to the possible presence of Tribolium confusum (a.k.a. "confused flour beetle"). The recalled packages were distributed only to Tesco stores.

The recalled packages bear the "Best Before" date of 11/07/2009 and "Durability" codes of 191, 192, or 193. No other packages are implicated in the recall.

Tribolium confusum is a grain pest, often infesting flour mills and grocery stores. The insect was awarded its unusual name, so the story goes, as a result of it having been confused with another species of Tribolium.

Quaker is advising its customers not to eat the recalled cereals. For more information, consumers can call the company's consumer care desk at 0800 032 4490.