Shoppers are facing a shortage of taramasalata after strikes caused supply levels to dip.

       Industrial action over pay at Bakkavor, one of the largest suppliers of the Mediterranean spread, has left gaps on the shelves at some supermarkets, prompting an online outcry from consumers.

       Own-brand taramasalata was out of stock online on Monday night at Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, and Tesco. The supermarkets have been contacted for comment.

       Customers took to social media to complain about the ongoing shortage, which some claim has been going on for weeks.

       Bakkavor is one of the country’s biggest producers of fresh food but employees at its Spalding site in the Midlands began strike action six weeks ago over pay.

       A spokesman said: “There has been a short disruption to our supply of taramasalata, but drawing on the skills based across its 21 UK sites, production steps up again next week.”

       Bakkavor claimed the strikes would not affect the food supply in the long term and said its Christmas ranges were manufactured at different sites.

       The British Retail Consortium, which represents the industry, acknowledged there were availability issues for taramasalata but said retailers were attempting to minimise disruption to consumers.

       Workers at the Bakkavor Spalding site are demanding a pay rise of 81p an hour, with the Unite union saying most workers at the location are being paid an hourly rate of ￡11.54.

       Donna-Maria Lee, chief people officer at Bakkavor, said the supplier had increased pay at the Spalding site at “above inflation” over the past three years.

       Mike Edwards, CEO at Bakkavor added: “We have been through a global pandemic and a seismic cost of living crisis and managing our business well ensures we will continue to create growth – growth for the economy, job creation and training opportunities for young people across the UK.

       “Our offer of a pay rise and bonus to Spalding colleagues has now gone to a union ballot and Unite are recommending their members reject it.”

       A Unite spokesman said: “Strike action has crippled their production and high street customers are now seeing empty shelves.”

       They added that Bakkavor needed to “get back around the negotiating table with a meaningful offer that is acceptable to our members”.