Thousands of packets of baby rusks have been withdrawn from British and Irish shops after they were found to be contaminated with illegally high levels of a pesticide which is banned from use in flour in the UK.

Heinz, owners of the Farley's brand, withdrew 10,000 packets of rusks after discovering levels of the pesticide chlorpropham which exceed legal safety limits. It has also launched an investigation into how the chemical came to be in the baby foods. The source is understood to have been a contaminated batch of flour, but the pesticide is banned from use in all crops other than potatoes in the UK.

The Food Standards Agency urged parents not to panic. ``The levels of chlorpropham are not harmful to health but the affected rusks do not comply with the regulations that set a maximum limit for pesticide residues in infant food,'' it said.

But Peter Sanguinetti, chief executive of the Crop Protection Association, said: ``We are concerned about this incident since chlorpropham is not licensed for use on cereals in the UK. It has approval for potatoes. This product is not produced by any member of the Crop Protection Association, all of whom sign a strict code of practice. The association, which strongly encourages enforcement, has asked the pesticide safety directorate to investigate this as a matter of urgency.''

Heinz said in a statement: ``Although there is no safety issue, the trace levels present in the affected date codes represent a technical infringement of the current regulations and therefore we are removing all affected product batches from stores. We have taken immediate steps to isolate the affected source of wheat flour and are conducting a full investigation.''

An FSA spokesman confirmed the chemical was illegal for use in flour in the UK and breached safety limits at levels found in the rusks.

Heinz, which alerted the FSA to the problem, apologised for the inconvenience caused to parents, adding: ``Parents can be reassured that all our products remain completely safe to eat and can continue to be used in complete confidence.''

Chlorpropham is used to protect crops from weeds. Large amounts in its pure form are moderately toxic and can irritate the eyes or skin.

Tests on laboratory animals have caused listlessness, difficulty breathing, fevers and even death.

No symptoms have ever been linked to its use as a pesticide. Michael Green, policy officer at the Soil Association, said: ``It is worrying that food, particularly food for babies, is being recalled because of pesticide contamination. It highlights the inherent risk and uncertainties of using pesticides. Fifty per cent of baby food in the UK is organic.''

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