Food Standards Scotland advised consumers in Scotland on 20 June 2025 not to eat Trotter's Independent Condiments "Trotter's Fresh Wild Garlic Pesto" because of concerns over an absence of procedures in place to control the bacteria Clostridium botulinum1.
The agency said satisfactory manufacturing controls that prevent the growth and toxin production by Clostridium botulinum could not be demonstrated, and that this means the product could be unsafe1. It added that Clostridium botulinum may produce a toxin which can cause a serious form of food poisoning called botulism and can be fatal1.
The advice covers all pack sizes of 230g and all best before dates, as set out in the agency's product details1:
| Product name | Pack size | Best before date |
|---|---|---|
| Trotter's Fresh Wild Garlic Pesto | 230g | All |
"If you have bought the above product do not eat it."
The alert does not state how many jars are affected, whether any illnesses have been reported, or whether the product was sold outside Scotland. Those details have not been reported1. The notice names Trotter's Independent Condiments as the maker of the product1.
Why it matters for households
The warning applies to consumers in Scotland and covers every jar of the 230g pesto, whatever best before date it carries, so a date on the lid does not indicate that a jar is unaffected1. Food Standards Scotland's stated reason is the absence of demonstrated manufacturing controls against Clostridium botulinum, not a single confirmed contamination event, and it describes botulism as a serious form of food poisoning that can be fatal1. The agency's advice to anyone who has bought the product is not to eat it1. No recall notice, withdrawal instruction to retailers or list of shops that sold the product has been reported1.
Because the notice covers all best before dates, the usual meaning of a date label does not apply here; our guide to shelf life, use by and best before dates explains what those labels normally indicate. More general coverage of food alerts and recalls is in our food hub.
What happens next
No further steps, such as a product recall or an update to the alert, have been announced1. The notice was published on 20 June 2025 and remains the agency's stated position as given1.
Sources (1)
- Scottish consumers warned not to eat Trotter’s Fresh Wild Garlic Pesto | Food Standards Scotland, foodstandards.gov.scot
