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Jamie Oliver has defended himself against claims his "punchy jerk rice" amounted to cultural appropriation.

The TV chef was slammed by angry social media users, including Labour MP Dawn Butler, over the name.

The shadow women and equalities minister wrote on Twitter: "I'm just wondering do you know what Jamaican jerk actually is? It's not just a word you put before stuff to sell products."

(Image: Jamie Oliver)

"Your jerk Rice is not ok," she continued. "This appropriation from Jamaica needs to stop."

She also called for Reggae Reggae sauce creator Levi to give him a 'masterclass'.

Jerk is a type of cooking that originates in Jamaica, where meat is dry-rubbed or marinated in a seasoning made up of all spice, scotch bonnets and other ingredients.

Many people were angry at the use of the name for a rice product that does not contain the ingredients traditionally used in Jerk recipes, the Independent reports.

(Image: Internet Unknown)

But the TV chef defended the name saying: "When I named the rice my intention was only to show where my inspiration came from."

In a statement he added: "I've worked with flavours and spices from all over the world my whole career, learning and drawing inspiration from different countries and cultures to give a fresh twist to the food we eat every day."

Jerk marinades typically contain allspice, scotch bonnet peppers, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, ginger and brown sugar.

But Oliver's rice is said to contain garlic, ginger and jalapenos.

Yesterday Levi Roots appeared on Good Morning Britain to talk about the furor and revealed he has already given Jamie a master class on Jerk recipes and methods "years ago".

(Image: ITV) (Image: ITV)

"I could not believe it that I woke up and saw my name trending on the internet. I thought people were calling me a jerk!" he said on the show.

"I do think it was a mistake by Jamie, either by him, or by his team. Maybe he wasn’t even involved."

“I don’t think it’s that serious. I really don’t. Caribbean food for it to get to where we want it to get to we need to change things. You’ve got to know what jerk is. Jerk is either a method of cooking or it’s the marinade itself.”