Waitrose has recalled its tuna pâté from stores across England after a packaging error resulted in an incorrect use-by date being printed on the product. Customers who have purchased the affected item have been advised not to eat it and to return it to their nearest store for a full refund.
The recall follows a food safety alert issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on 13 October 2026. The affected packaging displays a use-by date of 17 December 2026, although the correct date is 17 October 2026. The discrepancy means consumers could mistakenly believe the product remains safe to eat for another two months.
Packaging Error Prompts Nationwide Recall of Waitrose Tuna Pâté
According to the Food Standards Agency, the recall concerns 115g tubs of Waitrose Tuna Pâté carrying the incorrect use-by date of 17 December 2026. The agency has confirmed that the product becomes unsafe to eat after its actual use-by date of 17 October 2026.
The alert applies specifically to England and identifies the affected product by its pack size and printed date. Waitrose has initiated a recall, meaning customers who have already purchased the pâté are being asked to return it rather than consume it.
The FSA published the notification under reference FSA-PRIN-49-2026, formally identifying the issue as a labelling error. The notice makes clear that the date printed on the packaging does not reflect the product’s correct shelf life.
The retailer is also displaying notices at points of sale in stores where the product is sold. These notices explain the reason for the recall and provide instructions for customers who have already bought the affected item. The recall concerns the specific 115g product bearing the incorrect December date, as identified in the official food safety notification.
What Customers Should Do and How Food Recalls Work
The Food Standards Agency has instructed consumers who purchased the affected Waitrose Tuna Pâté not to eat it, even if the date printed on the packaging has not passed.
Customers should instead return the product to their local Waitrose store, where they can obtain a full refund. Anyone requiring further information can contact Waitrose Customer Care on 0800 188 884.
According to the FSA, food recalls and withdrawals serve different purposes when problems are identified with products offered for sale. A withdrawal involves removing an affected item from shop shelves, while a recall extends to consumers who may already have purchased it. In this case, Waitrose has issued a recall because the incorrect date appears on products that customers may have taken home.
The agency uses Product Recall Information Notices to inform consumers and local authorities about food safety concerns. In certain circumstances, it also issues a Food Alert for Action, providing local authorities with instructions about measures to take on behalf of consumers.
For this recall, the FSA has published a customer notice explaining the labelling error and the action required. Waitrose has confirmed that the notices will be displayed in affected retail stores. The advice remains straightforward: customers with the identified 115g tuna pâté should not consume it and should return it for a refund.
