The Co-operative Food has defended its decision to reformulate part of its premium Truly Irresistible range, switching from a gluten-free to a wheat-based recipe.

The move has attracted criticism from some consumers, who have taken to Facebook to say they feel it is a regressive step.

However, a spokesman for The Co-op said the new recipe had been introduced in response to customer feedback and to achieve “a good texture”.

The change affected Cumberland, Lincolnshire, pork & caramelised onion and pork & sweet chilli variants, he added, but Irresistible pork sausages and pork chipolatas remained gluten-free, and were available in all stores.