A NUMBER of leading supermarkets have recalled some "gluten-free" products because they may actually contain gluten.
The products, from Edinburgh-based firm Genius, have been removed from the shelves of Asda, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Tesco and Morrisons following an alert from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The bakery items, including pitta bread, scones, pancakes and pizza bases, including some supermarket own-brand items produced at the Genius site, are said to be "a possible health risk" for those with a gluten allergy or intolerance.
However, Genius, set up by mother and entrpreneur Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne in response to her son's intolerance, said the products affected contain very low level of gluten and are "considered to be of very low risk to gluten-intolerant customers".
A spokesman for the firm, which has experienced meteoric success over the last few years, said: "Genius takes issues of this nature very seriously. We are working with our internal teams and retail partners to prevent any risk to our customers and prevent re-occurrence."
It is believed the products were contaminated by a dry ingredient used in the baking process.
The Food Standards Agency said items "are a possible health risk" for those with a gluten allergy or intolerance.
Asda said customers who had bought gluten-free pizza bases, garlic and coriander naan breads or white pitta breads with certain best-before codes should return them for a refund.
"We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused and will ensure this doesn't happen again", a spokesman said.
Sainsbury's said the warning applies to sultana scones, garlic and coriander naan breads, pizza bases, multiseeded and white pitta breads and syrup pancakes with certain best before dates.
The supermarket said: "As a precautionary measure, we are asking all customers who have bought these products to return them to their nearest Sainsbury's store, where they will receive a full refund.
"No other Sainsbury's products are affected by this issue, and we apologise for the inconvenience this may cause."
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