A MAJOR UK supermarket has announced an urgent recall on its olives over fears they contain a rare, invasive bacteria.

Waitrose issued the alert after finding listeria monocytogenes in 120g packs of its Essential Pitted Black Olives with a use-by date of September 13, 18 and 27.

NINTCHDBPICT001107223426Waitrose has recalled its black olives over fears they contain a rare bacterium Credit: Waitrose

who bought these packs are being advised not to eat them.

They have been told they will receive a full refund when they return them to a Waitrose store.

The Food Standards Agency has said symptoms of listeriosis resemble the flu, including soaring temperatures, muscle ache, chills, and diarrhoea.

Healthy adults will often recover from the infection in a few days, without the need for antibiotics.

In rarer cases, the infection can cause major complications, like , an inflammation of the membrane in the brain.

Severe literiosis has a high mortality rate, at about 20 to 30 per cent, especially among newborns and the elderly.

Unlike many other foodborne bacteria, it can grow and thrive even at fridge temperature.

Waitrose apologised for the recall and inconvenience caused.

It comes as Sainsbury also issued a recall on its pitted black olives three days ago, after the same bacteria was discovered in its product.