A recall on packets of spices made by a Southall -based food company have been recalled from customers amid fears they contain salmonella.

The recall requests the return cumin and coriander powders, TRS Jeera Powder and TRS Dhania Powder, manufactured by the TRS Wholesale Company Ltd on The Green, Southall.

The company will be displaying point-of-sale notices in all stores, which will tell consumers why the products are being recalled and will tell them what to do if they have bought the products.

If there is a problem with a food product, that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' - taken off the shelves - or 'recalled' - when customers are asked to return the product.

It is feared that the products contain salmonella, a bacterium that can cause food poisoning.

It causes diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps usually lasting four to seven days.

Symptoms develop between 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated foods and in extreme cases diarrhoea and dehydration may be so severe that hospital treatment is required.

Products were tested in both India and the UK

Steven Sowerby, head of operations at TRS Wholesale Limited, said: “TRS would like to reassure all customers that we are fully committed to supplying top quality and safe products conforming to all UK food regulations.

“The two products in question were packed at reputed facilities in India and the goods tested by the Spice Board of India for conformity with European regulations prior to shipment.

“On receipt in UK the goods were again tested at reputed UK laboratory and all results showed the absence of salmonella.”

The products details are: TRS Jeera Powder, batch number P353340, 100g pack labelled best before December 31, 2017.

Also TRS Dhania Powder, batch number A481514, 100g pack labelled best before end of December, 2017.

Two batches contaminated

Mr Sowerby added: “As salmonella is not present in a homogeneous manner, as a further precaution the packets carry a usage instruction stating 'Do not consume uncooked'.

“Testing in these two batches found two packets of Jeera powder and one packet of Dhania powder to be contaminated with salmonella.

“These two batches have been withdrawn from sale and the outlets who purchased these batches advised to withdraw the same.

“No other batches are affected.

“It should be noted that, to date, no complaints have been received from customers and the problem was raised as part of a routine sampling.”

If you have bought any of the above products, do not consume it. Instead, return it to the store where it was bought from for a full refund.

It is not the first time the company has had a salmonella issue. In December 2007, they recalled sesame seeds thanks to the presence of the same bacterium.

TRS businesses were founded in 1959 by Taherally Rehmanji Suterwallaf and are still managed today by his five sons.

The TRS Brand is market leading in the UK independent sector and has a growing presence in several major UK multiples.

The brand is also available throughout the European Union, Russia, Canada and the USA.