Health concerns have resulted in a number of products being pulled from UK shelves, including food items, clothing items, soap and skincare products.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued “do not eat” warnings on food items which may pose a potential health risk to customers, while the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) warned shoppers to “stop using” recalled items “immediately”.
These are the recalls you should be aware of at UK supermarkets and high street shops this week.
Handwash recall
A popular hand wash has been pulled from shelves after it was found to pose a microbiological risk.
The Baylis & Harding Oud, Cedar & Amber 1L Hand Wash Refill has been urgently recalled by major retailers including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, and Amazon after testing identified the presence of Pluralibacter gergoviae, a type of anaerobic bacteria.
The recall affects batch codes 6210A and 6211A.
A spokesperson for the Office for Product Safety & Standards said: “The product presents a microbiological risk as testing identified the presence of Pluralibacter gergoviae.
“Contamination with this microorganism may lead to infection or adverse health effects, particularly in vulnerable users or those with a compromised skin barrier.
“The product doesn’t meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 (the Cosmetics Regulation).
“The products have been recalled from end users by Baylis and Harding, Amazon, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose.
“Consumers should stop using the product immediately and return it to their place of purchase for redress.”
The bacteria could cause infection or other health problems, especially for people with weakened immune systems or broken skin.
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “Baylis & Harding are recalling the above product due to some batches of this product being outside of the microbiological specification.
“Batch numbers of the affected products are: 6210A and 6211A, this is printed on the base of the pouch.
“We’re asking customers that have purchased the above product not to use it and to return the product to their nearest Sainsbury’s store, where they will receive a full refund.
“For further details or if you have any questions, please contact us at quality@bayhar.com.
“No other products have been affected by this issue.
“Baylis & Harding would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Waitrose has also issued a warning to customers.
A spokesperson said: “Baylis and Harding has become aware that batches of this product are outside of the microbiological specification, so it is recalling affected batches.
“Don’t use, package the item and return the product to your local Waitrose & Partners branch for a refund.
“Contact: Waitrose Customer Care 0800 188 884, Option 4 or quality@bayhar.com.
“We apologise that it’s been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused.”
No other products have been affected by this issue.
Flymo recall
Shoppers at Asda, Lidl and more UK stores have been warned “stop using this product immediately” following a safety recall.
The Flymo Simplitrim 230 Strimmer has been recalled because of a defect that may cause “physical injury”.
The spool cover on the affected units may break. If the spool cover breaks, it may be ejected at high speed while the product is in operation.
The affected product has a batch code of 97083576-01. This number can be found on the label at the bottom of the handle.
An Asda recall notice stated: “Stop using this product immediately. If you have purchased one of the affected products, do not use it again under any circumstances.
“You can bring it back to your nearest Asda store where you will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt.
“Alternatively, you can contact Flymo to arrange collection of your product from home at https://www.flymo.com/uk/c/support/flymo-faqs/product-recall-information. Or via phone: 03448444558.
“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused. If you would like any further information, please contact: Asda Customer Relations – 0330 053 0111.”
A Lidl statement added: “The spool cover on affected units may break and be ejected at high speed during operation.
“This poses a risk of physical injury to the user and to bystanders. The failure has been observed during the first or second use of the product.
“Do not continue to use this product.
“If you have purchased one of the affected products, do not use it again under any circumstances.
“Customers are asked to return this product to the nearest store where a full refund will be given. Or customers should contact the supplier to obtain a full refund.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.
“For further information, contact Customer Care on customer.care@lidl.co.uk or 0203 966 5566.”
Smyths Toy recall
A children’s toy has been urgently recalled over safety concerns.
The Wooden Cornhole Board with Bean Bags, sold by Smyths Toys, may pose a health risk due to possible asbestos contamination in the sand inside the bean bags.
The Office for Product Safety & Standards confirmed the recall, stating that the toy does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
A spokesman for the Office for Product Safety & Standards said: “This product presents a risk to health as the sand inside the bags may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
“Asbestos is a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure.
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“The product has been withdrawn from the market and recalled from end users by Smyths Toys.
“We recommend owners stop using the product immediately.”
Smyths Toys has stopped selling the item and is asking customers to return it for a full refund.
The affected product number is 233254 for the poplar wood board with six colourful toss bags in red, and blue and white stripes.
The company advised customers to visit www.smythstoys.com/store-finder to locate their nearest store, or to email cshelpdesk@smythstoys.com with further queries.
A spokesman for Smyths Toys said: “Testing has shown the sand-like material inside the toss bags may contain trace levels of asbestos.
“The overall risk is low, however the manufacturer is recalling the affected items as a precaution.
“Customers should stop using the recalled product immediately and keep it out of reach of children.
“Please return the article to your local Smyths Toys Superstores for a full refund.”
Waitrose recall
Waitrose has issued a “do not eat” warning and a recall as a food item sold in the supermarket may contain Listeria monocytogenes.
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 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.”
Boots recall
Boots has issued a warning to customers after a safety concern sparked a recall from UK shops.
The pharmacist has told shoppers to “stop using the affected product immediately”, as it may cause burns and comes with a fire risk.
The Love to Dream Sleep Machine has been recalled from all stores because of the risk.
A Boots statement said: “Use of the product with specific charging devices (not supplied with the product) may result in the lithium-ion battery in the product overheating during charging, which could pose a fire hazard to consumers.
“Risk of serious burns and/or property damage if the product overheats and catches fire.”
The affected products were sold between January 2, 2025, and September 3, 2026.
The recall includes the following date codes 7T12TN, 7W15TN and 8P01TN only.
Any date codes not listed are not affected by the recall.
The date code can be found on the side of the Sleep Machine or on the back of the box.
This is their advice for any shoppers who have purchased the product already:
- Stop using the affected product immediately
- Disconnect the product from any charger and place in a safe location, away from anything flammable or anything that could damage the product
- Visit the Love to Dream recall page at lovetodream.co.uk/recall for information on how to dispose of the product and claim your refund or replacement
- Dispose of the product only in accordance with local requirements for lithium-ion products. Do not place the product in household rubbish or recycling bin
Primark recall
A Disney-themed purse sold at Primark is being urgently recalled over safety concerns.
The 101 Dalmatians Zip Purse, sold in Primark stores across the UK between March and June 2026, has been found to contain unsafe levels of phthalates.
Phthalates are chemical compounds used to make plastics softer and more flexible, but they are strictly regulated due to health concerns, especially for children.
A Primark spokesperson said: “We are recalling our product 101 Dalmatians Faux Leather Coin Purse (Kimball no. 2595301) due to a safety issue.
“This was sold in Primark stores in the UK between March 2026 and June 2026.
“We have learned the product does not meet our usual high safety standards.
“The product has been found to contain phthalates above permitted levels, and this may cause harm to health and the environment.
“Please stop using the product immediately. Please return the product to any of our Primark stores. It’s not necessary to show proof of purchase.
“For more information, please email help.uk@help.primark.com.”
Phthalates are known to pose serious health risks, particularly to children, as they can potentially damage the reproductive system.
The recall was issued after the product was found to breach the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 and the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
A spokesperson for the Office for Product Safety & Standards said: “The product presents a serious chemical risk because it contains phthalates above permitted levels.
“Phthalates may harm the health of children, possibly causing damage to the reproductive system.
“The product doesn’t meet the requirements of the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 or the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
“The product has been recalled from end users by Primark.
“Owners should stop using the product immediately and keep it away from children.”
Primark has advised all customers to stop using the purse immediately and keep it out of reach of children.
Simple recall
Products sold at Tesco, Asda, Superdrug and more have been recalled by skincare brand Simple.
Simple is recalling its Skin Micellar Cleansing Water because of the potential presence of bacteria which could cause eye inflammation.
Batches of the 200ml, 400ml and 730ml bottles of the skin product have been recalled.
Simple apologised to shoppers, recognising that the recall can be “concerning”.
These are the batches of cleansing water affected by the recalls:
- 200ml – 610041, 611641, 615941
- 400ml – 611141, 611341, 611441, 613341, 613441, 614541, 614741, 614841
- 730ml – 613841, 613941, 611041, 616641, 616741
A spokesman for Simple said: “In the UK and the Republic of Ireland, we are recalling a limited number of Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water 200ml, 400ml and 730ml products with specific batch codes due to the possible presence of bacteria, which has the potential to cause eye inflammation for some consumers.
“We are recalling these products because the safety of the people who buy and use our products is our top priority.
“Other Simple products are not affected by this issue.
“We understand that product recalls can be concerning, and we are sorry for any concern or inconvenience this may have caused.
“Stop using it and contact our Consumer Careline by email for further guidance and a refund.”
The batch code can be found on the bottom of the bottle. It is a series of numbers printed directly onto the packaging.
Tesco added: “If you have purchased an affected batch code of one of the products being recalled, please do not use it and instead return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required.”
While Asda said: “If you have purchased Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water 200ml or 400ml of the above affected batch codes please stop using the product. You can bring it back to your nearest store where you will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt.
“Alternatively, you can contact Unilever’s Consumer Careline by email for further guidance and a refund at ukicare@unilever.com . Or via phone: 0800 146 252 (UK) or 1800 604 060 (ROI).
“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Asda recall
Asda shoppers have been issued a warning to stop using a product sold at the supermarket due to a “serious chemical risk”.
The supermarket giant has recalled three handbags which pose a risk to customers due to excess phthalates.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) warned that phthalates can harm the health of children, and could cause damage to reproductive systems.
The spokesman added: “The product has been recalled from end users by ASDA.
Here is our monthly product safety recall roundup for August
Visit: https://t.co/My7Q0rlRuh for more information. #ProductRecalls #UkRecallsAndAlerts pic.twitter.com/twuoTD01HC— Office for Product Safety and Standards (@OfficeforSandS) September 1, 2026
“We recommend that consumers stop using the product immediately. Return the product to any ASDA store for a full refund.
“For further information, please visit Product Recall – Ladies Handbags or contact ASDA on 0330 053 0111.”
These are the handbags, with their product codes and barcodes, affected by the Asda recall:
- Front Pocket Xbody Bag, 1100258937001, 5059206286959
- Opp Tote Bag, 1100260834001, 5059206491797
- Black Nylon Phone Bag, 1100258939001, 505920628577
Before you buy:
Check the seller
Read their reviews
Verify product descriptions
Check if the product has been recalled.
Check our product recalls: https://t.co/My7Q0rlRuh
Safety advice: https://t.co/vRZ5ynrhwX
#StaySafeThisSummer pic.twitter.com/2i0BTjVldq— Office for Product Safety and Standards (@OfficeforSandS) August 28, 2026
Asda’s product recall notice added: “The product presents a serious chemical risk as it contains excessive concentrations of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Phthalates are harmful to health and may cause damage to the reproductive system.
“The product does not meet the requirements of the REACH Regulations.
“If you have purchased any of the above bags, please bring it back to your nearest store where you will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.
“If you would like any further information, please contact: Asda Customer Relations – 0330 053 0111.”
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.
