Tesco and now Home Bargains recall popular condiment due to plastic contamination fears - is it in your cupboard?

Tesco and now Home Bargains have issued a recall on table salt after reports another brand may contain small pieces of plastic.

When it comes to rustling up your favourite recipe, salt is one condiment you're sure to find in your cupboard - whether you're on a low-sodium diet or love an extra pinch or two on your meals.

But earlier this week, anyone who has purchased a big bag of the white seasoning were urged to check their store cupboard to see if they have the type that is said to be contaminated. And now a SECOND brand of table salt, sold in Home Bargains has been recalled.

It comes after Tesco recalled some of its Free From range earlier this year, and now the Tesco British Cooking Salt recall and Home Bargain's Dri-Pak Table Salt has been issued by the Food Standards Agency after it received reports that the product "may contain small pieces of plastic" and the "possible presence of plastic makes the product unsafe to eat."

The items affected is the 1.5kg weight salt that has a batch code 3200 sold in Tesco and now the Dri-Pak Table Salt 750g with batch codes 3205 and 3206. 

Tesco has issued its own product recall to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tells them what to do if they have bought the product. You can read the notice in full below...

Customers who think they have purchased the item have been told "Please do not consume this product and return it to store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required."

The Food Standards Agency's second recall notice for salt applies to Dri Pak Table Salt, also because "It may contain small pieces of plastic. The possible presence of plastic makes this product unsafe to eat. The products affected are only sold at Home Bargains," it warned.

And again, the product is "unsafe to eat".

Manufacturers Dri Pak is also recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all Home Bargains stores that are selling this product. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tells them what to do if they have bought the product. 

Customers are advised that if they've bought the item, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought or contact generalenquiries@dripack.co.uk for a full refund.

You can read the official notice below...

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product). 

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. 

This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.

Social media users had mixed reactions to the recall. One customer asked, "And if you’ve already eaten it?" while another added, "I never have salt."

A third wrote, "I only ever buy this to salt the driveway and pavements." And a fourth shopper said, "Salt is essential and just to cover myself... taken in moderation; like all things."

Other food recalls that have taken place in recent months include a Cadbury chocolate recall and  Lidl recalled some chocolate too, while Tesco, Aldi and Iceland recently recalled a breakfast cereal over health fears and an urgent cheese recall was also announced early this year.