There’s a specific kind of British Valentine’s ritual that involves a certain heart-shaped sausage, and if you’ve found this article, you’re probably mourning its absence. The M&S Love Sausage—9 inches of pure viral awkwardness—sold out year after year from 2019 until its last confirmed sighting in 2023.

Length: 9 inches · Weight: 450g · Flavors: 4 varieties · Status: Discontinued 2024 · Launch Context: Valentine’s special

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether M&S has any plans to bring it back
  • Exact nutritional breakdown from primary sources
  • Current reseller availability and pricing
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The table below compiles the documented specifications from verified sources.

Specification Details
Product Name Love Sausage
Brand M&S Food
Length 9 inches
Weight 450g
Shape Heart-shaped
Composition Pork sausage wrapped in bacon
Status Discontinued
Debut Year 2019

What is love sausage?

The M&S Love Sausage is a heart-shaped pork sausage wrapped in smoked bacon, designed specifically for Valentine’s Day breakfast. Good Housekeeping describes it as “the UK’s obsession”—a big, thick, heart-shaped tube of pig parts wrapped in bacon that became a viral sensation the moment it hit shelves in 2019. The product spawned countless social media posts, with fans cracking two eggs into the center for a breakfast-in-bed presentation that doubled as Valentine’s content.

Origin and description

M&S launched the Love Sausage in 2019, and it sold out in minutes. The Independent reported that M&S press materials stated “Customers couldn’t wait to get their hands round one.” Its viral status led to annual returns through 2023, making it an enduring Valentine’s feature in UK M&S stores.

Connection to M&S Valentine’s range

The Love Sausage was marketed as the centerpiece of M&S Valentine’s offerings, recommended for serving on buttered muffins or crumpets. The brand’s own marketing called it “the UK’s obsession” continuing yearly, and it featured prominently in their seasonal food campaigns.

Bottom line: The Love Sausage was more marketing stunt than meat—but it sold enough genuine pork to become a bestseller by 2022.

Who makes M&S sausages?

M&S works with select British suppliers for their sausage range, with Finnebrogue Artisan identified as a key producer. The M&S Archive traces their sausage history back to 1884, when provisions including sausages and bacon first appeared in their stores. Today, M&S maintains strict quality standards, sourcing British free-range pork for their premium sausage lines.

M&S suppliers like Finnebrogue

Finnebrogue Artisan has been associated with M&S sausage production, supplying premium products that meet the retailer’s specifications for British free-range pork content. The Love Sausage specifically contained 56% Cumberland sausage in its standard form, with variants like the Spice Up Your Love Sausage featuring 80% pork content.

Quality standards

M&S positions its food quality as a core differentiator. Their Valentine’s products, including the Love Sausage, were no exception—premium pork, British sourcing, and distinctive shapes that justified the Valentine’s premium pricing. The Spice Up Your Love Sausage variant was also gluten-free, including red peppers in its chorizo-style formulation.

Bottom line: M&S sausage quality starts with British free-range pork and a named supplier relationship—but the Love Sausage’s specs varied by variant.

The pattern shows M&S typically keeps supplier relationships opaque, making Finnebrogue’s documented involvement notable.

Where to buy M&S love sausage?

The Love Sausage was exclusively available in UK M&S stores during Valentine’s periods. Unlike standard M&S products, it never appeared in the regular online catalogue—only in physical stores during its limited seasonal runs.

Current stock status

There is no evidence of Love Sausage in the current M&S lineup. The M&S official site shows no product page for the Love Sausage, and the 2026 Valentine’s ordering page contains no mention of the product as of May 2026. Searches on M&S.com for “Love Sausage” return no results.

Alternatives if discontinued

The M&S £25 Valentine’s Day meal deal serves as the current seasonal alternative, offering a complete Valentine’s dining experience without the novelty sausage. For fans seeking similar heart-shaped foods, the market has seen occasional competitor imitations, though none match the original’s viral cultural cachet.

Bottom line: Without a confirmed product page or seasonal listing, the Love Sausage appears to have left the building—no third-party retailer carries it either.

What this means: shoppers hoping to replicate the Love Sausage experience have no direct replacement to turn to.

Is M&S love sausage discontinued?

The evidence points strongly toward discontinuation. No official M&S announcement confirms this, but the pattern is unmistakable: the Love Sausage appeared from 2019 through 2023, with 2023 being its last confirmed availability on February 9. By 2024, M&S promoted a £25 Valentine’s meal deal with no mention of the sausage at all.

Timeline of availability

The Love Sausage launched in 2019, sold 33,000 packets in 2020, returned with a spicy variant in 2021 (available only February 10-14 in selected shops), became a bestseller by 2022, and appeared one final time on February 9, 2023. The Independent’s search for “M&S Love Sausage 2024” returned no relevant results, and the absence of 2024 reviews or sales data indicates likely discontinuation.

Reasons for axing

M&S has not publicly stated why the Love Sausage was discontinued. Possible factors include: manufacturing complexity of the heart-shaped mould, seasonal demand volatility, or a strategic shift toward complete meal deals rather than individual novelty items. The product’s viral status made it famous, but fame doesn’t guarantee profitability.

Bottom line: Five years of heart-shaped breakfasts, and then silence—no official goodbye, but the M&S website says everything by saying nothing about it.

What this means: the Love Sausage follows a common retail pattern where seasonal novelties have a finite shelf life regardless of their cultural impact.

What is the M&S Valentine’s meal deal?

The M&S Valentine’s meal deal is a £25 package offering a complete romantic dinner for two. In 2024, this deal replaced the Love Sausage as the seasonal centrepiece, featuring multiple courses without the novelty sausage element.

Love sausage role in deal

The Love Sausage was never officially part of a Valentine’s meal deal—it sold separately as a standalone novelty item. M&S positioned it as a Valentine’s morning breakfast treat, distinct from their evening meal offerings.

Menu details

The 2024 £25 Valentine’s meal deal included starter, main, sides, dessert, and drinks—a complete Valentine’s experience. YouTube coverage confirmed the deal’s existence with no mention of the Love Sausage, suggesting a deliberate shift away from the novelty product toward more traditional romantic dinner offerings.

Bottom line: The £25 meal deal proves M&S hasn’t abandoned Valentine’s food sales—just the Love Sausage specifically.

M&S Love Sausage: Specs and Variants

The documented variants show that M&S experimented with at least four iterations before the product line ended.

Variant Pork Content Special Features Availability
Original Love Sausage 56% Cumberland sausage Heart-shaped, bacon-wrapped Feb 9, 2023
Spice Up Your Love Sausage 80% Chorizo-style, chili glaze, gluten-free Feb 10-14, 2021
Smoky Style Not specified Smoked bacon wrapping Multiple years
Standard Varieties Not specified 4 total varieties Annual
Bottom line: The Spice Up Your Love Sausage edged out the original in taste tests, but both heart-shaped variants remain casualties of the discontinuation.

Should You Still Look for the Love Sausage?

Upsides

  • Viral cultural moment that lived up to the hype
  • Premium British free-range pork quality
  • Instagram-ready presentation for Valentine’s content
  • Proven bestseller in its peak years

Downsides

  • Appears discontinued with no confirmation of return
  • No official nutritional data from primary sources
  • Limited availability window (days, not weeks)
  • Precludes easy price comparison or bulk purchasing

The catch: without stock appearing anywhere in verified M&S channels, even dedicated fans face a dead end.

M&S Love Sausage Timeline

Three distinct phases mark the Love Sausage’s journey from viral launch to likely discontinuation.

Period Event Source
Pre-2019 Initial launch as Valentine’s special Good Housekeeping
2020 33,000 packets sold, averaging 4,700 per day The Independent
2021 Spicy variant released (Feb 10-14), 80% pork content YouTube Review
2022 Became a bestseller per M&S statements Good Housekeeping
2023 Last confirmed availability (Feb 9) Good Housekeeping
2024 £25 Valentine’s deal, no sausage mention YouTube
2026 No evidence in current M&S Valentine’s lineup M&S Official Site

What We Know vs What We Don’t

The available evidence paints a clearer picture for some facts than others.

Confirmed facts

  • Discontinued in 2024 per absence of evidence across M&S channels
  • 9 inches long from documented social media posts
  • 450g pack size from verified product mentions
  • Heart-shaped pork sausage wrapped in smoked bacon
  • Sold 33,000 packets in 2020, averaging 4,700 per day
  • Last confirmed availability: February 9, 2023

What’s unclear

  • Future return plans—M&S has not announced anything
  • Exact calorie count—primary source nutritional data unavailable
  • Current reseller stock—third-party availability unverified
  • Reason for discontinuation—M&S has not commented publicly
  • Whether the heart-shaped mould exists in storage for a future revival
The paradox

The Love Sausage’s viral success may have been its undoing—once a novelty peaks in cultural awareness, retailers often pivot before the novelty expires.

What People Said About the Love Sausage

“It’s what you’ve ALL been waiting for… the LOVE SAUSAGE IS BACK.”

— M&S, via Instagram (2023)

“Customers couldn’t wait to get their hands round one.”

— M&S Press Release (2020)

“An enduring feature of Valentine’s Day, last year the Love Sausage became a bestseller YET AGAIN and the UK’s obsession is set to continue.”

— M&S (2022)

Editor’s note

M&S has not issued a formal discontinuation statement. The absence of Love Sausage in current seasonal catalogues and on the M&S official site is the strongest available evidence of its exit—but the brand has revived products before.

For M&S Valentine’s shoppers: the choice is narrowing

Without a confirmed product page or seasonal listing, the Love Sausage appears to have left the building. No third-party retailer carries it, and M&S has offered no hint of a 2026 return. The £25 Valentine’s meal deal fills the gap for romantic dinners, but for fans seeking that specific heart-shaped breakfast experience, alternatives don’t really exist—which is exactly what made the original worth writing about.

Related reading: Chicken and Ham Pie Recipe · How to Make Peppercorn Sauce

Additional sources

youtube.com, independent.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

How many calories are in a M&S sausage?

Primary source nutritional data for the Love Sausage is unavailable. Standard M&S sausages range approximately 250-350 calories per sausage depending on size and ingredients. For precise figures, M&S would need to publish a product-specific label.

What sausage is best for cholesterol?

Lower-fat sausage options with high-quality protein sources are generally better for cholesterol management. Look for reduced-fat pork sausages, chicken sausages, or plant-based alternatives. M&S offers several healthier sausage variants, though none carry specific health claims.

Which are the best supermarket sausages?

Taste tests consistently rank M&S, Waitrose, and some premium butcher brands highest. The Love Sausage placed 7th in one YouTube sausage ranking—but the Spice Up Your Love Sausage scored 8.3/10 from the same reviewer.

Do over 60s get a discount at M&S?

M&S offers a Sparks 60+ discount for members over 60, providing personalized offers and early access to sales. This applies across food, clothing, and home categories, but specific Valentine’s deals may have limited availability.

What is the healthiest sausage to eat for weight loss?

Chicken sausages, reduced-fat pork options, or lean beef sausages under 200 calories each support weight loss goals. Avoiding high-fat bacon wrapping and monitoring portion sizes matters. M&S offers several lighter sausage options in their regular range.

What sausage is good for diabetics?

Sausages with lower sodium, minimal added sugars, and high protein content work better for diabetic meal plans. The Spice Up Your Love Sausage was gluten-free with 80% pork content, but diabetics should check labels for specific sugar and sodium levels.