The disease-causing bacteria can survive and even grow under refrigeration and can cause Listeriosis which can last up to several weeks depending on the severity.
Symptoms include fever, vomiting and headaches, with some cases even resulting in convulsions.
In rare cases, the infection can lead to meningitis.
Thursday 10th September – Waitrose recalls Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes #FoodAlert https://t.co/llFVJKMVtr pic.twitter.com/4FDahAdP1y
— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) September 10, 2026
The affected products are 120g packs of Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives.
The olives impacted by the recall have a use by date of September 13, September 18 and September 27.
Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.
A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “Waitrose is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product.
“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.
“If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to your nearest Waitrose store where you will be given a full refund. For further information, please contact Waitrose Customer Care on 0800 188 884, Option 4.”
A Waitrose statement added: “We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused.”
What is a product recall?
If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).
The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.
This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.
