A breakfast cereal for babies is being recalled due to a possible insect contamination.

The recall of `Cow & Gate Sunny Start My First Banana Muesli' was announced by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland today. The company said it is taking the "precautionary measure" in response to "a small number of complaints regarding an insect found in the pack".

Cow & Gate said it was “very sorry” this had happened and wanted to reassure parents that it maintained “strict standards” at its factory.

“ We have launched an immediate investigation and we will be taking all necessary steps to prevent this happening again. “

The cereal is part of the company’s range for babies over ten months. According to the Cow & Gate website “This stage introduces crunchy bits for chewing and helping develop your baby’s speech muscles.”

The batch had a best before date of September 27th next year. It said customers should not use cereals with this best before date because other packs may be affected.

Point of sale recall notices will be displayed in shops which may have sold the affected batch. Parents could return packs to the store where purchased or contact Cow & Gate directly. None of its other products were affected, it said.

Concerned customers can contact its careline on 1800 570 570.