Sainsbury’s shoppers urged to check olive tubs after Listeria recall

Customers who recently bought certain black olives from Sainsbury’s are being urged not to eat them after a food safety recall was issued over the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall concerns Inspired to Cook by Sainsbury’s Pitted Black Olives, sold in 120g packs. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the product has been recalled because Listeria monocytogenes was found in the olives.

The affected packs have use-by dates of September 6, September 7 and September 10, 2026. Shoppers who have one of these products at home should not consume it, even if the olives look and smell normal.

The FSA says customers should return the affected product to their nearest Sainsbury’s store, where they can receive a full refund.

Which olives are affected?

The recall is limited to a specific product and particular use-by dates.

The details published by the FSA are:

• Product: Inspired to Cook by Sainsbury’s Pitted Black Olives
• Pack size: 120g
• Use-by dates: September 6, September 7 and September 10, 2026
• Reason for recall: Presence of Listeria monocytogenes

The supermarket has advised customers who purchased the affected product not to eat it and to return it to a Sainsbury’s store for a refund.

The FSA says notices explaining the recall are being displayed at stores selling the product. The agency's official alert was issued on September 4, 2026.

Importantly, the recall does not mean that every type of olive sold by Sainsbury’s is affected. Customers should check the product name, pack size and use-by date against the details in the official recall notice.

Why is Listeria a concern?

Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacterium that can cause an infection known as listeriosis.

For many healthy people, listeriosis may cause relatively mild symptoms, but the infection can occasionally become much more serious. The FSA lists symptoms including a high temperature, muscle aches or pain, chills, nausea and diarrhoea. In rare cases, more serious complications can occur, including meningitis.

One reason food safety authorities take Listeria contamination particularly seriously is that certain groups face a higher risk of severe illness.

The FSA identifies people aged over 65, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies under one month old, and people with weakened immune systems as being particularly vulnerable to Listeria infections.

Pregnancy is especially important because listeriosis can have serious consequences for an unborn baby, even when the mother does not experience severe symptoms herself.

What should customers do if they bought the olives?

Anyone who has the affected olives in their refrigerator or kitchen cupboard should first check the packaging.

If the product is the 120g Inspired to Cook by Sainsbury’s Pitted Black Olives and has one of the recalled use-by dates, it should not be eaten.

The FSA's advice is to return the product to a Sainsbury’s store for a full refund. The agency says customers can also contact Sainsbury’s customer careline on 0800 028 8303 for further information.

Consumers should avoid assuming that cooking, washing or otherwise treating the olives will necessarily make a recalled product safe. When a food has been specifically recalled because of bacterial contamination, the safest approach is to follow the instructions issued by the food safety authority and retailer.

If someone has already eaten the affected olives, they should pay attention to their health and seek appropriate medical advice if they develop concerning symptoms. People in higher-risk groups may wish to contact a healthcare professional for advice, particularly if they become unwell.

No other Sainsbury’s products listed in the recall

The recall notice applies specifically to the product identified by the FSA.

Sainsbury’s has said that the affected olives are being recalled because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes and has asked customers not to consume them. The supermarket has also stated that customers can return the product for a full refund.

Shoppers should therefore avoid treating the warning as a recall of all Sainsbury’s deli products or all olive products. Checking the exact product information remains important.

Food recalls can sometimes be confusing because supermarkets stock numerous products with similar packaging and names. The product description and use-by date are particularly useful when determining whether an item is affected.

What is a food recall?

A food recall is issued when a product that has already reached shops or consumers is considered unsuitable or potentially unsafe.

The FSA explains that products can either be withdrawn from sale or recalled from customers. A withdrawal generally involves removing a product from the supply chain or shelves, while a recall asks consumers who have already purchased the product to take action.

In this case, Sainsbury’s is asking customers who bought the specified olives not to eat them and to return them for a refund.

The recall demonstrates why consumers should occasionally check official food safety announcements, particularly when they have recently purchased chilled or ready-to-eat foods.

The bottom line for shoppers

If you have Inspired to Cook by Sainsbury’s Pitted Black Olives, 120g, check the use-by date before eating them.

Products dated September 6, September 7 or September 10, 2026 are included in the recall and should not be consumed.

Instead, return the affected product to Sainsbury’s for a full refund and follow any further guidance from the supermarket or Food Standards Agency.

Listeria infections are uncommon, but they can be serious, particularly for pregnant women, older people, young babies and people with weakened immune systems. Anyone who is concerned about possible symptoms after consuming a recalled product should seek medical advice.

Source

UK Food Standards Agency's official food recall notice, reference FSA-PRIN-43-2026, published September 4, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general information and is not medical advice. Product recall information can change, so consumers should check the latest guidance from the Food Standards Agency and Sainsbury’s. If you believe you may be ill after eating a recalled product, contact an appropriate healthcare professional or NHS service for advice.