Food company resumes production after listeria detection led to products being taken off shelves
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.
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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.
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'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.'
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The Journal
15 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
Agriland
15 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.
Agriland
16 hours ago
- Agriland
Production to resume at Ballymaguire Foods
Ballymaguire Foods has received approval from the HSE's National Environmental Health Service to recommence production. Ballymaguire Foods said this follows a "comprehensive process undertaken in close coordination with the HSE's environmental health officers and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)". Production will resume from today (Friday, August 8), with products returning to retail shelves from Tuesday (August 12). Official approval to resume production follows the completion of a "thorough review" into the recent detection of Listeria at one of its production sites, Ballymaguire Foods said. In July, Ballymaguire Foods confirmed it had 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 FSAI had issued recall notices on various Ballymaguire Foods products "due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes". Ballymaguire Foods subsequently appointed Professor Patrick Wall, a public health expert and former chief executive of the FSAI, "to lead our response, which was carried out in close collaboration with all relevant public health and regulatory authorities", the company said. 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." Professor Wall said that 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," he added. "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: '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.'
