logo
Various branded spinach and mixed leaves recalled due to detection of listeria

Various branded spinach and mixed leaves recalled due to detection of listeria

The Journal27-07-2025
THE FOOD SAFETY Authority of Ireland has recalled six different spinach and mixed leaves products due to the detection of listeria monocytogenes.
The six products are produced by McCormack Family Farms.
The products are as follows: McCormack Family Farms Energise Super Mix 100g; McCormack Family Farms Irish Spinach Leaves 100g, 200g & 250g (various dates); McCormack Family Farms Mixed Leaves 75g; McCormack Family Farms Baby Leaves 100g & 200g; Tesco Mild Spinach 350g; Egan's Irish Baby Spinach 250g.
The full list of dates is available on
the FSAI website
. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale in stores.
Advertisement
The recall of the products due to the possible presence of listeria follows an 'extensive outbreak' of listeria that resulted in the recall of over 140 ready-made meals
produced by Ballymaguire Foods.
The meals were produced for a number of major supermarkets in Ireland.
One person died as a result of listeriosis, while as of Tuesday, nine people were confirmed to have the infection.
Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly.
The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.
Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated products. Retailers are requested to remove the implicated products from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers and distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated products and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
Caterers should not use the implicated products.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Food company resumes production after listeria detection led to products being taken off shelves
Food company resumes production after listeria detection led to products being taken off shelves

The Journal

time14 hours ago

  • The Journal

Food company resumes production after listeria detection led to products being taken off shelves

BALLYMAGUIRE FOODS HAS recommenced food production today, over two weeks after more than 140 of its ready-made meals and side products were taken off shelves due to the possible presence of listeriosis. Products from the company will return to supermarket shelves from Tuesday. The Food Safety Authority (FSAI) recalled a large number of food items between late July and August due to the possible presence of harmful bacteria called listeria monocytogenes, which can cause the listeriosis disease. One person in Ireland died as a result of listeriosis in July, while at least nine people were confirmed to have the infection. Ballymaguire Foods, the company with the largest number of products impacted, today received approval to recommence production from the National Environmental Health Service of the HSE. Advertisement In a statement released today, Ballymaguire Foods said the approval followed a comprehensive process that the company undertook in close coordination with the HSE's Environmental Health Officers and the FSAI. It said: 'Official approval to resume production follows the completion of a thorough review into the recent detection of listeria at one of our production sites.' The company appointed Professor Patrick Wall, a public health expert and former head of the FSAI, to lead their response. Wall said that listeria is rare and a 'naturally occurring, complex, and challenging bacteria', that requires close attention and strong controls in food environments. 'Managing it is not just about routine hygiene – it requires a deep understanding of how it behaves and an unrelenting attention to detail,' he said. He said that while listeria infection is rare and primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, even low-probability risks must be managed seriously. He said that in responding to the incident, Ballymaguire Foods has implemented protocols that 'go beyond' best practice. Related Reads FSAI recalls hummus and coriander over the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes FSAI orders more recalls spinach and mixed leaf products affected by Listeria monocytogenes Why have there been so many food recalls over listeria? 'The actions taken are backed by substantial investment and reflect a renewed focus on precision, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation,' he said. 'The decision to grant approval for production to resume reflects the authorities' confidence in the steps taken.' Edward Spellman, co-founder and managing director at Ballymaguire Foods, said: 'Our team worked closely with public health authorities and independent experts throughout this review, and I want to acknowledge their support, rigour, and professionalism.' 'Food safety has always been central to who we are. This experience has challenged us to go even further – to enhance our systems, deepen our expertise, and apply new industry-leading standards. 'We acknowledge the concern this situation has caused. We are resolute in our commitment to learn from it and to strengthening the trust placed in us by our partners, customers, and consumers.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

Ballymaguire Foods temporarily suspends all production at one facility
Ballymaguire Foods temporarily suspends all production at one facility

Agriland

time14 hours ago

  • Agriland

Ballymaguire Foods temporarily suspends all production at one facility

Ballymaguire Foods has confirmed that it has temporarily suspended all production at one of its facilities as a "precautionary measure" following a recall of various branded prepared meals and side dishes. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued recall notices on various Ballymaguire Foods products "due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes". The FSAI has warned that symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can "include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea". "In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications," it also added. More than 100 individual branded dinners and side dishes have been recalled including for example Tesco Meals Made Easy Beef Lasagne, Supervalu Freshly Prepared Irish Beef Dinner and Centra Freshly Prepared Chicken Curry and Rice. The FSAI has published a full list of the recalled products on its website and has requested retailers "to remove the implicated products from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale". It has also advised wholesalers/distributors to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated products and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers. Caterers should not use the implicated products, the FSAI added. In a statement issued today (Wednesday, July 23), Ballymaguire Foods said it had "initiated a full precautionary recall of all products produced at one of our facilities following the identification of listeria bacteria as part of a quality control check". It stated: "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. "Immediately upon identifying the issue, we informed our retail and foodservice customers and engaged with all relevant authorities, including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Health Service Executive (HSE), and our regional Environmental Health Officer. "Through our retail partners, all products are being withdrawn from the shelves, and a full consumer communication process is underway." The company has also detailed it made the decision on Saturday (July 19) to temporarily suspend all production at the affected facility. "Our internal team, supported by independent external experts, conducted a comprehensive assessment and implemented immediate corrective actions. "These included a full pharmaceutical-grade clean down of the facility. In consultation with the relevant statutory bodies and our customers, we will resume production once it is confirmed safe to do so. "We sincerely apologise to our customers and consumers for the concern this may cause," Ballymaguire Foods stated.

Food production resumes at Ballymaguire Foods after listeriosis outbreak
Food production resumes at Ballymaguire Foods after listeriosis outbreak

Irish Examiner

time15 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

Food production resumes at Ballymaguire Foods after listeriosis outbreak

Food production has resumed at Ballymaguire Foods after a listeriosis outbreak led to ready-made meals being recalled. Two weeks ago the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said there was an 'extensive' outbreak of listeriosis and dozens of meals and side dishes were being recalled as a precaution. The prepared meals — produced by Ballymaguire Foods and sold at Tesco, Supervalu, Centra, Aldi and The Happy Pear — included cottage pies, lasagnes, pasta bakes, curries and potato side dishes. Ballymaguire Foods said it detected listeria at one of its production sites and apologised to its customers. Manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers were asked to remove the products from sale and consumers were asked not to eat them. Listeriosis, which is usually contracted by eating contaminated food, can cause mild flu-like symptoms, or nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Serious infections from listeriosis are very uncommon but pregnant women, babies and people with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable. On Friday, Ballymaguire Foods said it had resumed production after receiving approval from the National Environmental Health Service of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Products are to be available on retailers' shelves again from Tuesday, it added. The company appointed Professor Patrick Wall, a public health expert and former chief executive of the FSAI, to lead its response. Professor Patrick Wall said: 'Listeria is a naturally occurring, complex, and challenging bacteria that, while rare, requires close attention and strong controls in food environments. 'Managing it is not just about routine hygiene — it requires a deep understanding of how it behaves and an unrelenting attention to detail. 'In response to this incident, Ballymaguire Foods has implemented protocols that go beyond best practice, fully align with regulatory standards, and set a benchmark that exceeds industry norms. 'The actions taken are backed by substantial investment and reflect a renewed focus on precision, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation. 'Every measure is grounded in international best practice and scientific evidence, with a focus on maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene and consumer health protection. 'The decision to grant approval for production to resume reflects the authorities' confidence in the steps taken. 'While Listeria infection is rare and primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly or those undergoing medical treatment, even low-probability risks must be managed with the utmost seriousness. 'The steps taken at Ballymaguire Foods reflect a genuine commitment to protecting every consumer, and to doing so with transparency and integrity.' Edward Spellman, co-founder and managing director of Ballymaguire Foods, said the firm would learn from the incident. 'Our team worked closely with public health authorities and independent experts throughout this review, and I want to acknowledge their support, rigour, and professionalism. 'Food safety has always been central to who we are. This experience has challenged us to go even further — to enhance our systems, deepen our expertise, and apply new industry-leading standards. 'We acknowledge the concern this situation has caused. We are resolute in our commitment to learn from it and to strengthening the trust placed in us by our partners, customers, and consumers.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store