Camilla Jessen
“Do not eat” warning issued for Tesco pâtés.
Shoppers are being urged to check their fridges after Tesco recalled three of its own-brand pâté lines because of an incorrect use-by date.
The recall was announced on January 3.
What’s been recalled
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the recall affects three 170g Tesco own-brand pâtés. The products are Tesco Coarse Farmhouse Pâté, Tesco Coarse Ardennes Pâté and Tesco Smooth Chicken Liver Pâté.
All of the affected items carry the same use-by date, 05 January 2026.
The FSA said the date printed on the packaging is incorrect, meaning consumers could rely on a deadline that does not accurately reflect food safety.
Use-by dates apply to foods that spoil quickly. The FSA warns that such products should not be eaten after the stated date, even if they look or smell fine.
Health warning
The FSA said the recalled pâtés “may pose a microbiological risk.”
This term is used to describe the potential growth of harmful bacteria when chilled foods are stored for too long or handled improperly.
The watchdog did not report any confirmed illnesses linked to the products. However, it advised customers not to consume the affected pâtés because of the uncertainty created by the labelling error.
The recall was published as a Product Recall Information Notice on the FSA’s alerts page.
What Tesco says
Tesco told customers to return any of the affected products to a Tesco store for a full refund. The retailer said a receipt is not required.
“No other Tesco products are affected by this recall,” the company said in a customer notice. Tesco also said point-of-sale notices will be displayed in stores that sold the pâtés, to alert shoppers who may not see the recall online.
Customers seeking more information were directed to Tesco’s usual contact channels.
Sources: Food Standards Agency, Tesco
