Waitrose listeria contamination fears prompt urgent customer warning for common food item

Waitrose has issued an urgent recall notice for its Essential Pitted Black Olives amid listeria contamination fears, urging customers to return the product for a full refund

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Waitrose has withdrawn a popular product from its shelves and issued an urgent recall notice to shoppers amid concerns over contamination.

The well-known British supermarket chain has recalled packs of black olives following the discovery of listeria traces in some of the products.

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

Shoppers who have bought these packs of olives are strongly advised not to consume them and to return them to their nearest Waitrose store for a full refund.

Listeria can be found across a broad range of food products, though certain items are more susceptible to harbouring the bacteria. Pre-made deli meats, salads, soft mould-ripened cheeses (such as Camembert and brie), and other pre-prepared chilled food products are among the most common carriers of listeria, reports the Express.

According to the NHS, the listeria bacterium can cause a rare infection known as Listeriosis, which can leave some people seriously unwell. For the majority of people, listeriosis produces no symptoms or only mild ones lasting a few days, including a high temperature, aches and pains, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

In rare instances, the infection can become more serious, potentially leading to severe complications such as meningitis. The most recent Waitrose recall alert comes after multiple food contamination cases throughout the UK over the past week, with Sainsbury’s experiencing its own black olive product recall situation just days earlier.

The prominent 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 6 September, 7 September, and 10 September 2026.

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

Waitrose also faced another product recall challenge, with the major grocer warning shoppers not to eat its Waitrose Rhubarb Crumble if they have particular allergies. The product was discovered to contain oats, which had not been listed on the product label.

The inclusion of oats meant the product contained gluten, which had gone unlisted on the label, and was consequently problematic for individuals with allergies or Coeliac disease.

The Food Standards Agency stated: “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 19 August 2026. The product is suitable for freezing, however, meaning customers 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.”