Tesco UK controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Tesco recalls food products over microbiological risk
Recall announced
Tesco recalled products from its UK stores and issued a "do not eat" warning to shoppers due to a possible microbiological risk. The retailer apologised to customers in connection with the recall.
Company response
Recall — Tesco
Tesco shoppers have been issued a “do not eat” warning after the supermarket was forced to recall products from its UK stores due to a possible “microbiological risk”.
Apology — Tesco
Tesco has apologised to shoppers after a “do not eat” warning was issued to customers at the supermarket giant.
Source excerpt
Tesco shoppers have been issued a “do not eat” warning after the supermarket was forced to recall products from its UK stores due to a possible “microbiological risk”.
Tesco has apologised to shoppers after a “do not eat” warning was issued to customers at the supermarket giant.
Tesco is forced to recall product because of ingredients not mentioned on the label
2026
Tesco recalls pate ranges over microbiological risk from use-by date error
Recall announced
Tesco's UK recalled several 170g pate ranges with a use-by date of January 5, 2026, because the wrong use-by date on the pack may pose a microbiological risk, making the products unsafe to eat, according to the Food Standards Agency. Tesco offered a full refund on returned affected products and posted notices in stores.
Tesco is recalling several 170g pate ranges with a use-by date of January 5, 2026, because the wrong use-by date on the pack may pose a microbiological risk, making the products unsafe to eat, according to the Food Standards Agency. Tesco is offering a full refund on returned affected products and has posted notices in stores.
Company response
Recall — Tesco
Tesco is recalling a variety of its patés as they have the wrong use-by date on the pack - and may be a health risk.
Refund or compensation — Tesco
If you have purchased the affected date code of the above product, please return it to any Tesco store for a full refund.
Apology — Tesco
We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Source excerpt
We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Tesco is recalling a variety of its patés as they have the wrong use-by date on the pack - and may be a health risk.
If you have purchased the affected date code of the above product, please return it to any Tesco store for a full refund.
2021
Tesco and Sainsbury’s criticised over cardboard shelf images
Public backlash
Shoppers criticised Tesco and Sainsbury’s over apparent use of cardboard images to improve the appearance of empty shelves amid a food shortage. The article reports criticism and shoppers’ claims, not a formal finding.
Source excerpt
Shoppers across the UK have taken to social media to share photographs of supermarket giants Tesco and Sainsbury's apparent attempts to improve the appearance of bare shelves as a shortage of lorry drivers continues to affect supply chains.
2020
Tesco recalls Cow & Gate baby food over tampering concerns
Recall announced
Tesco is recalling Cow & Gate baby food after concerns that a small number of jars may have been tampered with.
Source excerpt
TESCO is recalling a brand of baby food following concerns that a small number of jars may have been tampered with.
Cow & Gate and Tesco are recalling 15 types of baby food jars as a "precautionary measure" amid fears some may have been tampered with.
Tesco recalls Cow & Gate baby food after concerns some jars have been tampered with
2015
Snack Food Poco Loco UK recalls own-label meal kits over undeclared almond
Recall announced
Snack Food Poco Loco UK announced recalls of Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco own-label meal kits because they contained undeclared almond. The products contained paprika from a batch found to be contaminated with almond protein.
Company response
Investigation — Santa Maria
High quality standards are set for all Santa Maria suppliers and a full investigation of the supply chain has been initiated to ensure procedures are put in place to prevent this from happening again.
Source excerpt
High quality standards are set for all Santa Maria suppliers and a full investigation of the supply chain has been initiated to ensure procedures are put in place to prevent this from happening again.
Supplier Snack Food Poco Loco UK – part of the Santa Maria flavourings business that has recalled 10 branded retail and foodservice products in the past week – today (19 February) announced it was recalling the following products because they contain undeclared almond:
As with the other products recalled by Santa Maria - which included an Aldi Fiesta brand fajita dinner kit withdrawn on 14 February – the products contain paprika from a batch found to be contaminated with almond protein.