Sussex postal workers have protested after being told to deliver packets of white powder.

They fear people receiving the packets, which contain powdered baking mix, could panic because of concern over anthrax.

Six thousand packets, marked Glutafin and produced by Wiltshire-based dietary care firm Nutricia, are to be sent to addresses nationally in the next few weeks.

A Brighton postal worker, who asked not to be named, said Consignia, the parent company of the Royal Mail, was not taking people's worries over anthrax seriously.

He said: "They are being very irresponsible about this - they are putting their profits first. Their excuse is they are well marked. But what happens if they leak?

"What are people going to think if they get leaking white powder put through their door?"

Nutricia said the only people to receive the packages would be those who had ordered trial packs of Glutafin but it had warned the Royal Mail the boxes were being sent.

The bags of powder are vacuum-sealed and inside two video-sized cardboard boxes to try to prevent any leaks.

A spokeswoman said: "It is not like a suspicious package - they are all clearly labelled."

A spokeswoman for Consignia said she could not discuss the details of any individual mailing.

She said: "Talking generally, Royal Mail acts as a carrier of mail, not a censor, and we have a duty to deliver mail as addressed.

"Clearly, in the current climate it is quite right we give advance information to our employees about specific mailings we are aware of.

"This is sensible to avoid the potential for any unnecessary concern, operational disruption or waste of emergency services' time should an item burst."