Waitrose has recalled 120g packs of Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives after tests found Listeria monocytogenes contamination, prompting a “do not eat” warning for customers across England, Scotland and Wales. The affected products carry use-by dates of 13 September 2026, 18 September 2026 and 27 September 2026. Customers who have purchased the olives have been advised to return them to their nearest Waitrose store for a full refund.
Food Safety Alert Issued After Listeria Detection
The recall was announced after Waitrose identified the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the affected olive packs. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the product should not be consumed and customers should follow the recall instructions provided in stores.
The FSA stated that symptoms caused by listeria infection can resemble flu and may include a high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can lead to more serious complications, including meningitis. The agency also noted that some groups are more vulnerable to infections. These include people over the age of 65, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old, and people with weakened immune systems.
The affected product is limited to Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives in 120g packs with the listed use-by dates. No other products or batches were included in the recall notice. Waitrose has advised customers who need further information to contact its Customer Care team. Point-of-sale notices are being displayed in stores selling the product to explain the reason for the recall and the action customers should take.
Customers Advised to Return Affected Packs for a Refund
The recall follows a separate food safety action involving another Waitrose product earlier in the week. According to reports from The Independent, the supermarket also recalled its Rhubarb Crumble because it contained oats (gluten) that were not declared on the label.
That product presented a potential health risk for people with an allergy or intolerance to oats or gluten, as well as those with coeliac disease. The FSA advised affected customers not to eat the item and to return it for a full refund.
The current olive recall is focused specifically on the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. According to the FSA notice, customers who have bought the affected packs should avoid eating them and take them back to a Waitrose store.
Food recalls are issued when a product cannot be sold safely and customers need to be informed about possible risks. The FSA publishes recall notices to provide information to consumers and local authorities about products affected by safety concerns. The agency’s notice for the olive recall was published on 10 September 2026 under reference FSA-PRIN-44-2026. The alert remains limited to the identified olive packs and their stated use-by dates.
