Waitrose recalls popular food item over health risk as ‘do not eat’ warning issued

Waitrose recalls popular food item over health risk as ‘do not eat’ warning issued The Food Standards Agency has issued a recall notice for Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes Waitrose has recalled a popular food item after bacteria which can cause serious illness was found in the product. Shoppers have been warned by the Food Standards Agency not to eat Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives after Listeria monocytogenes was detected. The recall affects 120g packs with use-by dates of September 13, September 18 and September 27, 2026. Customers are being advised to return the olives to their nearest Waitrose store for a full refund. "Waitrose is recalling Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives because Listeria monocytogenes has been found in the product," the agency stated. "If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to your nearest Waitrose store where you will be given a full refund. For further information, please contact Waitrose Customer Care on 0800 188 884, Option 4." And it says of the bacteria: "Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis. "Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems." A statement from Waitrose confirms that a refund will be made for people returning the olives as it also issued an apology. "We are recalling Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives 120g as a precautionary measure due to the potential presence of listeria which may cause illness if consumed," it said. "We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused." Meanwhile, last week Sainsbury's recalled its Inspired to Cook Pitted Black Olives after Listeria monocytogenes was found in the product. The recall affected 120g packs with use-by dates of September 6, September 7 and September 10, 2026. Customers who bought an affected pack were similarly told not to eat the olives and instead return them to their nearest Sainsbury’s store for a full refund.