Supermarket chain Albert Heijn is recalling its entire stock of seedless red grapes because they contain larger than allowed residues of the growth enhancer ethephon.

Ethephon Ethephon is an insecticide and plant growth regulator used to promote fruit ripening, and is licenced for use in the European Union. It is often used on wheat, coffee, tobacco, cotton, and rice.

Ingesting too much of the chemical can lead to stomach cramps and diarrhea.

The grapes come in containers of 250 grammes and 500 grammes under the product number 44-G. The grapes were imported from abroad, but as yet it is not clear from where, or the level of contamination.