P&G has recalled 35,000 bottles of Scope mouthwash that did not have a child-resistant cap.

Kellogg's is reported to be working with United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has voluntarily recalled products because of an "uncharacteristic off-flavour and smell" coming from the liner in the package.

The company told Food Production Daily that it believed an unidentified wax-like substance had migrated from the inner packing into the cereals.

It said: "Our chemistry team is working to isolate the exact substance. At this time, we know it’s a wax-like compound that can produce an uncharacteristic off-taste and smell."

The food giant insisted that the potential for serious health problems was small, but admitted that some consumers might be sensitive to the affected products and should not eat them "because of possible temporary symptoms, including nausea and diarrhoea".

Kellogg said the liners had first been used in March this year and since then the company had been contacted by around 20 consumers complaining of stale, metallic and soap-like smells and tastes. Five people were said to have reported nausea and vomiting.

All the tainted packages were produced at the firm’s facility in Omaha, Nebraska and affected products include Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks.

Meanwhile Procter & Gamble has recalled about 35,000 bottles of Scope mouthwash from US shelves because the packets did not have child resistant caps.

The bottles were distributed nationwide between January and June and should have claimed on the label that they were only suitable for adult use.