(Image: Waitrose/PA)
Shoppers have been warned not to eat a fish pate sold in Waitrose supermarkets following an urgent product recall.
The Food Standards Agency issued the food alert after a packaging error was uncovered on packs of Waitrose Tuna Pate.
Waitrose is recalling the item across England because the packaging displays an incorrect use-by date of December 17.
The correct use-by date for the affected batches is October 17.
Tuesday 13 October 2026 - Waitrose recalls Waitrose Tuna Pate because of an incorrect use-by date: https://t.co/3YkbBKTHAs #FoodAlert https://t.co/LXTvu4J7PQ
— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) October 13, 2026
Officials said the incorrect date makes the pate unsafe to eat after October 17.
The recall applies specifically to 115g tubs of Waitrose Tuna Pate carrying the incorrect use-by date.
A Food Standards Agency spokesperson confirmed: "Waitrose is recalling the above product."
The spokesperson added: "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."
Consumers who have purchased the pate are being urged not to consume it.
Anyone who has bought the affected product should package it up and return it to their nearest Waitrose store for a full refund.
Waitrose has apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused by the recall.
Customers seeking further information can also contact the Waitrose Customer Care line on 0800 188 884.
What is a product recall?
When a problem is found with a food item, it can either be withdrawn or recalled.
A withdrawal happens when an item is taken off the shelves, whereas a recall involves asking customers to return items they have already bought.
Food alerts are issued by the Food Standards Agency to inform consumers and local authorities about problems associated with food.
In this case, a Product Recall Information Notice has been issued under reference FSA-PRIN-49-2026.
Such notices are released to alert the public and let retail managers know about products that need to be removed from sale.