A supermarket has removed a notice on its website that NHS staff must buy any item they touch.

Iceland had the post which attracted criticism from health workers.

The notice said it was a measure to reduce the risk of contamination.

Iceland was one of the first supermarkets to introduce measures to help people get essentials when supplies were under pressure.

It operated an elderly hour at opening times for customers after many shoppers were panic buying items and leaving some older people with nothing when they arrived at stores.

It also introduced a policy where the last hour of trading is reserved exclusively for NHS workers if they produce their ID.

However, it was criticised when a notice said:” We have had strong measures in place to protect our staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.”

“If NHS workers touch products they have to buy them, they can’t put them back. This is to reduce the risk of contamination.

“We are communicating regularly with our store teams, offering guidance and updates n health and safety.”

It prompted a backlash on social media with workers telling the store that NHS staff were more likely to adhere to strict hygiene habits than many others.

NHS staff said it made them feel as though they were contaminated when they are working hard to try and stop the spread of coronavirus and treat those affected.

Once it was pointed by many health staff and organisations the supermarket apologised and removed the notice.

An Iceland spokesman said: “This was an error and should not have been posted on our website.

“We sincerely apologise for the offence this has clearly caused and have immediately withdrawn this guidance.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