CHOCOLATE giant Mars is recalling some of its products after thousands made at its Slough factory were later deemed at risk of containing salmonella.

Chocolate bars Galaxy and Maltesers Teasers and bags of Galaxy Minstrels and Galaxy Counters are at risk of containing the bacteria, the company based in Dundee Road said.

It said approximately 3,000 products made at the Slough site had been affected and it had picked the problem up during routine lab testing.

The warning, issued alongside the government's Food Standards Agency, applies to the products in various sized bars and bags with the best before dates of May 6 and May 13, 2018 only.

Mars said that although it had had no related complaints so far, 'as a precaution' it had made the decision to recall the products voluntarily from shops and customers 'in order to ensure the safety and confidence of our consumers'.

A Mars Chocolate spokesperson said: "Through our routine testing, we have detected the potential presence of salmonella from the ingredients used to make our chocolate. As a precaution, we are voluntarily recalling certain Galaxy Smooth Milk Chocolate bars, Galaxy Minstrels and Galaxy Counters and Teasers bars.

"We are working closely with the relevant food safety authorities and our customers to ensure that the affected products are no longer available for purchase.

"If you have one of the products listed above, you should not eat it.

"Please keep the product and contact our Consumer Care team to arrange return and reimbursement."

He added: "This precautionary recall has been initiated with the best interests of our consumers at heart and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"No other brands or varieties of chocolate, pack formats, bar sizes or best before dates are affected."

The Food Standards Agency said symptoms caused by salmonella can include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

If you have one of the products, you can contact Mars via 0800 952 0084 or visit www.mars.co.uk/contact