Sainsbury’s shoppers have been told not to eat popular deli olives after they were found to be contaminated.
The tubs of pitted black olives have been urgently recalled after suspected Listeria Monocytogenes was found.
The warning affects the 120g package of the Inspired to Cook by Sainsbury’s Pitted Black Olives, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned customers not to eat them.
The affected packages have use-by dates of September 6, September 7 and September 10, 2026.
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Sainsbury’s said: ‘Sainsbury’s are recalling the above product due to a possible presence of Listeria Monocytogenes.
‘We are asking customers that have purchased the above product not to consume it and to return the product to their nearest Sainsbury’s store, where they will receive a full refund.’
The supermarket said that no other products have been affected.
‘Sainsbury’s would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused,’ it added.
The food standards watchdog said in its risk statement: ‘The presence of Listeria Monocytogenes in the product listed above.
‘Symptoms caused by Listeria Monocytogenes can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.
‘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.’
What is listeria and why is it dangerous?
Listeria can lead to an infection called listeriosis, a rare but potentially serious illness.
Raw or cured deli foods can be particularly prone to the bacteria.
Most infections occur after eating ready-to-eat foods like cold and cured meats, smoked and cured fish, cooked shellfish, soft mould-ripened cheeses, pate, prepped sandwiches and salads, and pre-sliced fruit, the NHS warns.
Symptoms include a high temperature, aches and pains, chills, feeling sick or vomiting and diarrhoea.
Pregnant women, newborn babies and people with already weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious problems from listeriosis.
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