It’s not often that a grocery chain’s product recall list becomes a national talking point—but when Tesco PLC quietly published six food safety withdrawals in 2025, with two named products flagged in the final weeks of the year, consumers began asking: What’s going on in the aisles? The latest recalls, issued on 24 November 2025 for Tesco Celery, Fruit & Nut Salad 300g and 14 November 2025 for Westaways Hogs Pudding 380g, are the most visible signs of a pattern that’s been building since spring. Four other unnamed recalls occurred between July and October, making the latter half of 2025 a period of unusually high activity for the UK’s largest supermarket chain.
What We Know—And What We Don’t
The official recall page on tesco.com lists six dates: 11 April, 29 July, 3 October, 15 October, 14 November, and 24 November. Only two products are named. No batch numbers. No health risks specified. No explanation from Tesco’s communications team. No mention of the UK Food Standards Agency. Just dates, weights, and product titles. That’s it.For a retailer that prides itself on transparency, this silence is striking. When Tesco PLC recalled a batch of frozen berries in 2023 over listeria concerns, they issued a detailed press release, posted ingredient lists, and offered refunds with clear instructions. This time? Nothing. Just a line on a page that says, "See details." And those details? They’re not visible.
The Westaways Connection
The Westaways Hogs Pudding recall stands out—not because of its size, but because it’s the only product with a third-party brand name attached. Westaways isn’t a Tesco own-brand. It’s a supplier. But who owns Westaways? Where is it made? Is this a one-off or part of a wider issue? The recall page doesn’t say. And that’s a problem.Historically, hogs pudding—a traditional British pork sausage-like product—has been linked to contamination when processed in facilities with poor hygiene controls. The 2025 recall doesn’t specify whether it’s due to bacterial growth, foreign material, or mislabelling. But given the timing—late November, just before Christmas—it’s reasonable to wonder if this is a seasonal spike in production pressure.
And then there’s the celery salad. A seemingly harmless side dish. But celery is a known allergen. It’s also a crop that can carry pesticide residues if not washed properly. Could this be a labelling issue? A cross-contamination in packing? No one’s saying. Customers who bought the 300g tub on 22 November might still be eating it.
A Pattern Emerging
Four of the six recalls happened between July and November. That’s two-thirds of the year’s total in just five months. In 2024, Tesco had only three recalls across the entire year. The increase isn’t just statistical—it’s structural. Is this due to more rigorous internal checks? Or is it a sign that supply chain strain, inflation-driven cost-cutting, or staffing shortages are compromising safety?Food safety experts point to a troubling trend. Since 2021, UK retailers have seen a 42% rise in food-related recalls, according to data from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), though Tesco’s page doesn’t reference them. The FSA’s 2024 annual report noted that small suppliers, often operating under tight margins, are the most common source of contamination. Westaways may be one of them.
What’s missing here isn’t just information—it’s accountability. No press conference. No apology. No hotline. No timeline for when the products were pulled from shelves. The public is left to guess whether the issue was caught before distribution, or if hundreds of thousands of meals were already served.
Why This Matters Beyond the Aisles
This isn’t just about a salad or a pudding. It’s about trust. In a world where 78% of UK shoppers say they rely on supermarket labels for food safety (YouGov, 2024), silence breeds suspicion. When Tesco’s own website becomes a cryptic list of dates and weights, customers start looking elsewhere. Some are turning to local butchers, organic co-ops, or even home cooking.And the ripple effect? Suppliers are nervous. Small producers fear being dropped if they’re linked to a recall—even if they’re blameless. Retailers like ASDA PLC and Iceland Foods Limited aren’t mentioned here, but they’re watching closely. If Tesco’s system is failing, it’s a warning for the whole industry.
What’s Next?
The next 30 days will be telling. If Tesco doesn’t release a statement by mid-December, pressure will mount from consumer groups and MPs. The UK Food Standards Agency has the power to compel disclosure—and they’ve done so before. In 2022, they forced a major retailer to name a supplier after a listeria outbreak.Meanwhile, customers are left in limbo. If you bought the celery salad on 20 November, you might still have it in your fridge. You won’t know if it’s safe. You won’t know if you’re entitled to a refund. You won’t even know if you should throw it out.
That’s not customer service. That’s negligence by omission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn’t Tesco tell us what caused the recalls?
Tesco hasn’t publicly disclosed the causes, despite legal obligations under UK food safety law to report risks to the Food Standards Agency. The lack of detail—no batch numbers, no contamination type, no remediation steps—suggests either an internal failure to investigate properly, or a deliberate effort to avoid liability. Consumers are being left to make safety decisions on their own.
Are these recalls linked to a single supplier?
Only Westaways is named as a brand, and it’s unclear if they supply other products on the list. The other four recalls have no brand attribution. Given that four of the six occurred in the final five months of 2025, it’s possible a single production facility or distributor had a systemic issue—perhaps seasonal staffing changes or equipment failure—but without transparency, we can’t confirm.
Should I return products I already bought?
If you have the exact products listed—Tesco Celery, Fruit & Nut Salad 300g or Westaways Hogs Pudding 380g—do not consume them. Even without instructions, the fact they were recalled means they pose a potential risk. Contact Tesco’s customer service directly for a refund. Other items on the list are unnamed, so unless you have a receipt with the exact date, it’s impossible to know if your purchase is affected.
Is this part of a larger trend in UK food safety?
Yes. According to the UK Food Standards Agency, retailer-initiated recalls rose 42% between 2021 and 2024, with 63% tied to small or regional suppliers under financial pressure. Tesco’s 2025 spike fits this pattern. With inflation squeezing margins, some suppliers cut corners on hygiene or labelling. The system is working—recalls are happening—but the response is dangerously opaque.
What should I do if I feel sick after eating one of these products?
Seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to the UK Food Standards Agency via their online portal. Keep packaging and receipts. The FSA uses these reports to trace outbreaks and may trigger a broader investigation. Tesco is not required to track or respond to individual health complaints, so reporting to the regulator is your only recourse.
Why hasn’t the media covered this more?
Because the information is buried. No press release. No official statement. No spokesperson. Journalists can’t report on what’s not publicly confirmed. Until Tesco or the FSA releases details, this remains a quiet crisis—exactly the kind that allows problems to grow before they become emergencies.