North African food specialists First Quality Foods has unveiled what it claims is the first ambient houmous.

Al'Fez houmous is packaged in a 160g glass jar with a 12-month shelf life, but has no added preservatives. It has an rsp of £1.49.

MD Sam Jacobi likened the innovation to the first ambient salsa, which hit the market under the Doritos brand more than a decade ago.

"Al'Fez houmous offers the same convenience offered by other popular ambient salsas and dips, making it ideal for impromptu get-togethers," he said.