Waitrose points pressing recall over listeria fears as meals poisoning warning issued

The supermarket has issued an urgent recall notice to customers amid fears the common product may pose a bacterial infection risk

Waitrose has urgently recalled a popular food product from its shelves and issued an immediate recall notice to its customers due to contamination concerns.

The British supermarket behemoth has recalled packets of black olives sold in its stores after some were discovered to contain traces of listeria.

Waitrose detected listeria monocytogenes in 120g packs of Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives with use-by dates of 13 September 2026, 18 September 2026, and 27 September 2026.

Customers who have bought these packs of olives are strongly advised not to consume them and to return them to a Waitrose store for a complete refund.

Listeria can contaminate a wide variety of foods, but some are more prone to harbour the Listeria parasite. Ready-made deli meats, salads, soft mould-ripened cheeses (such as Camembert and brie), and other pre-prepared chilled food items are among the usual culprits that are more likely to carry listeria, reports the Express.

According to the NHS, the bacterium Listeria can cause a rare infection known as Listeriosis, which can severely affect some individuals. In most people, listeriosis is either symptomless or only causes mild symptoms for a few days, such as a high temperature, aches and pains, chills, feeling or being sick, and diarrhoea.

In rare instances, the infection can be more serious, leading to severe complications like meningitis.

The most recent Waitrose recall alert comes after numerous food contamination cases across the UK in recent days, with Sainsbury’s enduring its own black olive product recall drama just days earlier.

The leading UK supermarket was compelled to issue an urgent recall of its Inspired to Cook Pitted Black Olives following the discovery of the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium. The recall impacted 120g packs with use-by dates of September 6, September 7, and September 10, 2026.

Shoppers have been advised not to consume the product and return it to the store for a refund. Anyone wanting additional information can visit the Sainsbury’s website or contact its careline on 0800 028 8303.

Waitrose also faced another product recall nightmare, with the major grocery chain cautioning customers not to consume its Waitrose Rhubarb Crumble if they have certain allergies. The product was discovered to contain oats, which hadn’t been listed on the product label.

The presence of oats meant the product contained gluten, which had been omitted from the label, posing a risk for people with allergies or Coeliac disease.

The Food Standards Agency said: “This product contains gluten, making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to oats or gluten, or with coeliac disease. If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to oats or gluten or have coeliac disease, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.”

The 500g pack affected by the recall notice carries a use-by date of August 19, 2026. However, as the product is suitable for freezing, shoppers may still have it stored at home.

Waitrose’s recall notice reads: “Please check your home freezer for the product. Do not consume. Package up the item. Return the product to your local Waitrose & Partners branch for a refund. We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused.”