A supermarket chain has apologised for saying NHS workers would have to buy any products they touched in their stores.

Iceland angered NHS staff by posting a message on their website which said that any products they touched during their exclusive shopping hour would have to be bought and could not be put back on the shelf.

The company has now apologised to customers and said the message was posted "in error".

The policy appeared on the supermarket's website under a section which detailed special hours for NHS workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

The post, which has since been removed, also said that NHS staff could only pay using cards and preferably through contactless.

The company, which has 15 stores in North Wales and the North West and has its headquarters in Deeside, said the reason behind the decision was to "reduce the risk of contamination".

Iceland post regarding NHS workers
Iceland later apologised for the post on NHS workers

The post also said the company would aim to clean stores following the NHS hour each day.

A Welsh Ambulance Service worker claimed the supermarket had been "singling out" NHS workers.

He  said: "I couldn't believe what I read. I am ambulance staff and I use this NHS hour.

"They are wearing blue today to support NHS staff, but I think they've lost a lot of customers after this.

"If they wanted to issue this sort of advice, they should have done so for every customer, not single out NHS workers.

"NHS staff use more precautions than anyone else with infection control.

"As a regular customer, I think it is shameful and a disgrace."

Last month, the company announced that they would offer exclusive shopping hours for NHS staff in all stores during the coronavirus crisis.

A spokesperson for Iceland said: "This was an error and should not have been posted on our website.

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"We sincerely apologise for the offence this has clearly caused, and have immediately withdrawn this guidance.

"We are deeply grateful to the NHS and all key workers for everything they are doing to keep the country running."

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