The 9 ways to avoid getting listeriosis after death linked to ready meals sold in Aldi and Tesco
HEALTH ALERT The 9 ways to avoid getting listeriosis after death linked to ready meals sold in Aldi and Tesco
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HEALTH officials have confirmed one person has died after a listeriosis outbreak in Ireland.
A total of nine cases of the bacterial infection have been identified, which have been linked to a product recall affecting food manufacturer Ballymaguire Foods.
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Healthy adults and children who get listeriosis may experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, but for those at risk, it can lead to complications
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Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, often contracted through food.
While healthy adults and children may experience mild symptoms, such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhoea, or no symptoms, listeriosis can be severe, especially for pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
In severe cases, it can lead to complications like meningitis, sepsis, and in pregnant women, miscarriage or stillbirth.
Hundreds of ready meals stocked in Tesco, Aldi, and other supermarkets across Ireland have fallen under the recall, including Tesco's Meals Made Easy, Irish Classics and Finest products.
Read more on listeria
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A full list of the food products recalled can be viewed here.
Meals include cottage pies, lasagnes, pasta bakes, curries and potato side dishes.
While listeria can contaminate a wide range of foods, it's more common in ready-to-eat foods, according to the Foods Standards Agency (FSA).
Examples include cold pre-cooked meats, such as chicken, pâté , cooked shellfish, soft mould-ripened cheeses, pre-prepared sandwiches and salads , and pre-cut fruits.
The FSA also advises nine steps to follow to reduce the risk of listeriosis, especially at home.
Chill your food
below 5°C - this will stop or significantly slow the growth of bacteria including listeria. Refrigerate foods as soon as possible - refrigerate them after purchase and eat ready-to-eat foods shortly after removing them from the fridge, within four hours or within two hours on a very warm day and keep them out of direct sunlight. Always eat, cook or freeze foods by their use-by date - foods after their use-by date may look and smell fine, but they could be unsafe and make you ill. You cannot see, smell or taste bacteria that causes foodborne illness. Always follow the storage instructions, including those for opened foods, and ready to eat foods provided on the label - if there are no instructions, use opened foods within two days. Follow the cooking instructions on the packaging when applicable - this includes cooking and re-heating foods (including frozen vegetables) until they are steaming hot right through. Avoid cross-contamination - this might lead to bacteria passing from raw foods to foods that are ready to eat via things like reusable shopping bags, knives, dirty surfaces and chopping boards . Wash certain foods thoroughly before eating raw - this includes fruit, vegetables, and salad leaves. Make sure food preparation areas are clean - this prevents harmful bacteria from spreading. Wash your hands -
do this regularly with soap and water before, during and after meal preparation .
Video explains what Listeria is and how the bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea is spread
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said it's investigating the latest outbreak, and the Health Service Executive's (HSE) Health Protection Surveillance Centre is looking into the death.
In a statement, Ballymaguire Foods said: "Incidents of this nature are extremely rare for us. We are treating it with the utmost seriousness and are working closely with all parties to manage the situation swiftly and responsibly."
It added: "We sincerely apologise to our customers and consumers for the concern this may cause.'
Consumers of the products have been advised not to eat the implicated products.
They should also check their freezers for the meals and dispose of them.
Retailers have also been instructed to pull the implicated ready meals from shelves and to display recall notices at the point of sale.
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