Swedish company Ikea hit a new food contamination problem when it announced that traces of coliform bacteria had been found in two "isolated production batches" of a cake produced for its restaurants.
The UK and Ireland were not among the 23 countries affected, the firm said in a statement on Tuesday.
Ikea is contending with two major food controversies
The bacteria was found in almond cake with chocolate and butterscotch, from one supplier in Sweden, it said, adding: "There is no health risk associated with consuming this product.
"The production batches have, as per safety and quality routines, been tested for bacteria that can cause health issues, such as E.coli, and none of these pathogen bacteria have been found.
"However, since the product does not comply with our strict food quality standards we have decided to withdraw the concerned production batches from sale in the 23 affected countries."
Last week Ikea said it was withdrawing wiener sausages in the UK after tests found "indications" of horse meat, and it also withdrew a batch of its traditional meatballs.
The company said it was removing the sausages from sale in Britain, France, Spain, Ireland and Portugal after tests confirmed "a few indications of horse meat".
A spokeswoman said then: "Based on some hundred test results that we have received so far, there are a few indications of horse meat. Together with the Swedish supplier in question we have decided to withdraw from sales also the wiener sausages ... from that supplier."
But it said the move affected just one batch as a precaution pending further tests, and meatballs would still be available to buy in its stores.