Urgent recall issued for vegetables sold at Lidl due to deadly listeria outbreak
A product recall has been announced for spinach and mixed leaves in Northern Ireland from a local producer. The recall of spinach and mixed leaves products comes after listeria was detected in the region.
The outbreak, which has been linked to ready meals sold at major supermarkets, has resulted in at least one fatality. McCormack Family Farms, suppliers to Lidl, Dunnes Stores, and Musgrave Ltd in Northern Ireland, have now recalled their spinach and mixed leaves products.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has stated that it is "working closely" with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and local retailers to determine the distribution of these products in Northern Ireland.
Retailers have been instructed to display point of sale notices explaining the reason for the recall and advising customers on what action to take if they have purchased the affected products.
On its website, the Food Standards Agency further explained: "Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
"However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications such as meningitis.
"Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems."
The food safety body has urged shoppers who have bought the products not to consume them, and they can receive a full refund by returning them to the shop, reports the Mirror.
Last week's ready meals recall was connected to one fatality and nine listeriosis cases.
The adult died just days after becoming ill from consuming a contaminated ready meal, as supermarket chiefs rushed to withdraw at-risk dishes from shop shelves amid mounting public safety fears.
A selection of ready meals by the brand Ballymaguire Foods, which supplies products to both Aldi and Tesco in Ireland, was impacted.
It remains unclear which ready meal the individual consumed before they tragically passed away. Scores of products by the food manufacturer have been included in an extensive list of recalled items.
A spokesperson for Lidl, which operates 43 stores across Northern Ireland, said: "At Lidl, your safety is important to us, which is why we have strict procedures in place to ensure the highest quality and safety of all our products.
"Affected products can be returned to store for a full refund, with or without a receipt."
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed this death is presently under investigation but additional details cannot be disclosed due to patient confidentiality.
In a statement, The HSE announced: "A voluntary precautionary food recall of ready-to-heat meals is underway due to a link with the outbreak.
"The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been notified of and is investigating the death of an adult with confirmed listeriosis. To ensure medical confidentiality, no further information on this patient can be disclosed."
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