Waitrose recalls oat milk over contamination risk as customers told ‘do not drink’

Waitrose recalls oat milk over contamination risk as customers told ‘do not drink’ Waitrose Essential Unsweetened Oat Drink is being recalled after the Food Standards Agency said there was a risk of microbiological contamination Customers have been warned not to drink a supermarket’s own brand oat milk after a product recall was issued due to risk of microbiological contamination. Waitrose is recalling Waitrose Essential Unsweetened Oat Drink as the product may be unsafe to drink, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said. The recall affects 1-litre cartons with best-before dates between August 14 and October 29, 2026, which were purchased between September 2 and September 21, 2026. The government body announced that Waitrose was recalling the drink due to poor temperature control. This means the oat drink now carries a risk of microbiological contamination and spoilage, the agency said. This was “because there has been a breakdown in temperature control which may make these products unsafe to drink,” the FSA said in a food alert issued today. The government has said that Waitrose is taking steps to address the issue, with the product being recalled and point of sale notices to be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product. “These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product,” the FSA explained. Costumes who have brought Waitrose Essential Unsweetened Oat Drink have been advised not to eat it, and instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. Food recalls are issued by the government to protect customers. “If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product),” the FSA said. “The FSA issues Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.”