Two million tubs of Clover recalled over mould scare

Two million tubs of Clover are being recalled after tests found the spread had been contaminated by mould.

Dairy Crest has ordered the popular spread be removed from supermarket shelves and asked consumers to return tubs sitting in their fridges after 17 people complained of feeling sick.

It fears several hundred tubs have been accidentally mixed with a mould most commonly found in blue cheese such as Stilton.

Production has been stopped at its Shropshire factory until the problem can be investigated.

A spokesman for the company said: "As a responsible manufacturer we are recalling all tubs. It's impossible to know exactly what the number of tubs affected is.

"Some mould got into the manufacturing process and into the product which has led to this situation where the product goes off before the end of the shelf life.

"When people are biting in Clover, they are getting a sometimes strong and sometimes unpleasant blue cheese flavour."

All sizes of tubs with a best before date up to August 10 are being recalled.

The company, which expects the move to cost up to £1 million, apologised to any consumers affected by the scare.

The spokesman said the factory does not produce blue cheese and it was unknown where the mould originated from.

Customers have been advised to dispose of the contents and keep the lid to claim a refund.

Last year, Cadbury were forced to recall more than a million chocolate bars following a salmonella scare.

The company spent £30million on the recall and making improvements after the incident, blamed on a leaking pipe at its Herefordshire plant. At least 37 people - most children under ten -were poisoned by the chocolate.