Tesco has issued a safety warning for three of its pâté products following the discovery of incorrect use-by dates on the packaging. The recall, prompted by potential microbiological hazards, affects 170g packs of Coarse Farmhouse Pâté, Coarse Ardennes Pâté, and Smooth Chicken Liver Pâté.
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the items were mistakenly labelled with a use-by date of 5 January 2025. In reality, the products may have deteriorated well before this date, creating a risk of bacterial presence not detectable by appearance or smell.
Incorrect Labelling Identified as Source of Microbiological Risk
Tesco initiated the recall after identifying that a batch of its pâté products had been mislabelled during production. Rather than displaying the correct shelf life, affected items were printed with a use-by date nearly a full year beyond their actual expiry. According to the FSA, this error increases the possibility of consumers unknowingly ingesting spoiled food, as harmful bacteria can grow even when products appear normal.
The affected items (Coarse Farmhouse Pâté, Coarse Ardennes Pâté, and Smooth Chicken Liver Pâté) are all sold in 170g packs and exclusively carry the incorrect 5 January 2025 date. Tesco has confirmed that no other products from its range are impacted.
The FSA stressed that use-by dates are critical indicators of food safety. Consuming products beyond this window, even if they seem fine, can lead to serious illness. “Harmful bacteria cannot be detected by smell alone,” the agency stated, underscoring the invisible nature of such risks.
In response, Tesco has issued notices in all stores stocking these lines and is offering a full refund to customers returning the products, without the need for a receipt. A spokesperson for the retailer apologised for the oversight, noting: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Consumer Safety Measures and Response Procedures
Tesco’s recall is part of the broader system in place to ensure food safety standards are met and maintained across the UK. The FSA routinely issues Product Recall Information Notices (PRINs) when it deems that food products pose a risk to public health. According to the agency, this process allows both consumers and local authorities to stay informed about emerging threats.
This incident comes only weeks after a separate Tesco recall involving its Free From 4 Christmas Chocolate Flavoured Cupcakes, which were pulled from shelves due to undeclared milk content, a risk to those with allergies or intolerances. These successive recalls place renewed focus on quality control practices within large supermarket chains.
Customers with queries about the pâté recall have been directed to contact Tesco’s customer service team via the helpline listed on tesco.com/help/contact. The supermarket emphasised that it is acting out of “an abundance of caution” to protect the wellbeing of its shoppers.
The FSA advises consumers to check their refrigerators and dispose of any affected pâté products immediately if the 5 January 2025 date is present on the label. Shoppers are reminded never to consume food past its use-by date, regardless of its appearance or smell, due to the possibility of unseen bacterial growth.
By issuing this recall, Tesco joins a number of UK food retailers working to reinforce customer confidence in food safety while demonstrating a swift and transparent response to potential health risks.
