Authorities could take action against a local shop which sold chocolate that was found to have a steel nut inside.

An Indian family found the nut on Saturday night after visiting a colleague, whose wife had delivered a baby.

It is understood the colleague had purchased a box of chocolates from a Bahraini sweet shop on Exhibition Avenue.

They lodged a complaint at the Food Control Section and officials immediately reported the case to the Domestic Food Control Section and Public Health Directorate, who have launched an investigation, confirmed a Health Ministry spokesman.

"We sent our inspectors to the shop, the name of which cannot be revealed, for inspection and to get more details," said the spokesman.

"Serious action will be taken against the company and or the manufacturer.

"We have launched an investigation to find out if the chocolates were locally produced or imported from abroad.

"If imported from abroad, we will talk to the company through the local agent, and then take further action."

The spokesman revealed that Health Minister Sadiq Al Shehabi had been personally following up the matter.

He also said it was not the first time such an incident had been reported to the ministry.

"We have previously received several cases where people have found odd things in food items and we have taken action against the company selling the product or the factory where the product was manufactured," he added.

"We will take action against the company after investigation is over."

Meanwhile, the head of the Indian family, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was relieved his children had not taken a bite out of the chocolate.

"My colleague bought chocolates in lots of shapes and sizes from a shop on Exhibition Avenue and was celebrating after his wife delivered," he said.

"I took four for me and went home. I gave two to my children, aged seven and eight, while my wife took one and she was surprised to see a nut in the chocolate.

"Thank God my children didn't eat it. They could have swallowed the nut without seeing it.

"I then immediately called the ministry and officials came and took the sample and launched an investigation.

"I also called my friend and told him what had happened."