Iceland is slammed after telling NHS workers to buy any product they TOUCH to 'reduce the risk of coronavirus contamination' - before website post 'made in error' quickly disappears (11 Pics)

Iceland has been slammed for telling NHS workers they must buy products if they touch them while browsing inside its supermarkets.

The frozen food chain posted a message on its website that said 'if NHS workers touch products they have to buy them, they can't put them back'. 

It claimed this was to 'reduce the risk of contamination' and help protect staff working inside Iceland supermarkets.  

But angry customers shared the message on social media prompting a fierce backlash among NHS staff who said the policy was a 'disgrace'. 

Although the message has since been deleted after it was posted 'in error', many are still angry about it appearing on the Iceland website at all. 

The frozen food chain posted a message on its website that said 'if NHS workers touch products they have to buy them, they can't put them back'

The supermarket sparked outrage by saying once workers had touched items 'they can't put them back' to reduce the risk of contamination during the coranavirus outbreak

One NHS employee said: 'Iceland Foods you are an absolute disgrace. Why have you singled out NHS staff, treating us like we are carrying the plague?

'Have you brought any guidelines in for ensuring people wearing gloves also need to buy what they touch?!' 

While another said: 'Hi Iceland. Just a quick question. Are we NHS staff dirty? Or do you think staff won't wash their hands post-shift seeing as not hand washing is the only way to pick a virus up from surfaces anyway? 

'Regardless, NHS staff was their hands'. 

In a Facebook page for NHS staff, some called the policy 'disgusting', 'disgraceful' and an 'insult', with many pointing out that they - more than anyone - would be aware of infection control and the risks of spreading the virus. 

Chrissy Pritchard said: 'Ignorant fools!! The CEO of Iceland should issue a grovelling apology. Insulting us NHS staff should have dire consequences, their revenue for a start.'

Alison Ballantyne said: 'Let's hope none of them need hospital treatment anytime soon considering we are all dirty germ spreading people who obviously have not idea of correct hand washing procedure, use PPE and follow correct infection control procedures.'

Angry customers shared the message on social media prompting a fierce backlash among NHS staff who said the policy was a 'disgrace' (above and below)

Other NHS workers claimed they'd been in stores and seen customers handling lots of items and returning them to the shelves and questioned why the policy didn't apply to them.

Sharon Whitworth wrote: 'I think they should have generalised it to all public not just specific to nhs staff.

'They are thinking they are dong us a favour by introducing times we can shop their but then making insults. One thing for sure if they will lose a lot of customers who work for the nhs now so lessons learnt Iceland.'

Currently Iceland allows NHS staff and key workers to shop for the final hour of trade by showing their ID.

It then cleans the stores afterwards to help keep staff safe from the virus.

The number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK has now reached 98,476 and the number who have died is at 12,868.

News of the Iceland post has ciruclated rapidly on social media. UK Paramedic Humour posted a picture of the Iceland statement which has now been shared more than 2,500 times.

The page wrote: 'Thanks for implying healthcare professionals are dirty, unclean people.

'Thanks for making us out to be lepers.

'If anything, Iceland - healthcare professionals are MORE likely to adhere to IPC guidelines by rigorous hand washing (for proof, just feel how rough our hands are).'

The post added: 'At this horrid time, don't make us feel bad.

'Not when we have colleagues losing their homes because their bigoted landlords don't want a dirty paramedic living in their homes!

'Your 'policy'' is damaging to the morale of these heroes!'

News of the Iceland post has ciruclated rapidly on social media (above and below)

Others have also spoken of the issue on Twitter. One said: 'If NHS workers touch products in Iceland they have to buy them. 

'Who in their right mind introduced this policy? The concerns should be with certain members of the public who don't thoroughly wash their hands at the best of times.'

While another said: 'Can you tell me how this is supporting the NHS? Making us out to be dirty lepers? Iceland you should be ashamed. Disgruntled shopper and front-line nurse.' 

After news of the policy spread, the statement has since been deleted. 

A spokesman for Iceland 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.'