Latest news with #FoodSafetyAuthority
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
No evidence salad products recall linked to ‘extensive' listeriosis outbreak, says food safety watchdog
There is 'no evidence' that the presence of potentially fatal bacteria in spinach and mixed leaves is connected to the 'extensive outbreak' of listeriosis relating to ready meals, the food safety watchdog has said. Last week, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) recalled 141 ready-made meals produced by Ballymaguire Foods in connection with an outbreak of the rare bacterial infection listeriosis . The affected meals include chicken curries, lasagnes, bolognaises, pasta bakes, cottage pies and chow meins. Affected side dishes include ready-made mashed potatoes, carrots and peas, green cabbage and pilau rice. One adult has died as a result of listeriosis. Nine cases of infection were identified in connection with this outbreak. READ MORE On Sunday, the FSAI issued a second recall, this time relating to spinach and mixed leaves products produced by McCormack Family Farms , due to the detection of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. However, the food safety authority said there is 'no evidence that this food recall is linked with the listeriosis outbreak related to ready-to-heat meals that is currently under investigation'. Six salad leaf products have been recalled by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Photograph: FSAI The watchdog added that, as of Monday, there were no cases of listeriosis associated with the spinach and mixed leaves products that are the subject of the recall. 'The FSAI is aware that consumers may be feeling anxious at the news of a second recall involving Listeria monocytogenes,' said the agency. ' While we urge people to be aware of the risks, and to take precautions when using ready-to-eat foods, they can be assured that there is a robust food control system in place in Ireland, which contributed to the identification of the latest need for a recall.' It added: 'The FSAI advice, as always, is that if anyone has eaten any recalled foods and are feeling well, they do not need to do anything. However, if anyone has eaten any recalled foods and feels unwell, they should seek medical advice.' According to the FSAI, listeriosis is typically acquired by eating contaminated food. However, the bacteria that cause illness are killed by cooking thoroughly. On average, each year, there are between 14 and 22 cases of listeriosis reported in Ireland, said the agency. Symptoms of listeriosis can range from mild flu-like effects to gastrointestinal indicators such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Pregnant women, babies, older people and those who are immunocompromised are more vulnerable to severe infections. Prof Achim Schmalenberger, associate professor in microbiology at the University of Limerick, said that if you are not in one of the risk groups, you 'should not be worried too much'. 'A general recommendation is to cook your food properly. If one eats raw ingredients, make sure they were not cold-stored for extended periods of time so that small amounts of L. monocytogene s grow to dangerous levels.' The products recalled are: McCormack Family Farms Energise Super Mix 100g; McCormack Family Farms Irish Spinach Leaves 100g, 200g and 250g; McCormack Family Farms Mixed Leaves 75g; McCormack Family Farms Baby Leaves 100g and 200g; Tesco Mild Spinach 350g; and Egan's Irish Baby Spinach 250g.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Spinach and mixed leaves products recalled over listeria detection
Seven spinach and mixed leaves products have been recalled after a detection of the harmful bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The Food Safety Authority issued the alert for the products which are being recalled by McCormack Family Farms. The seven products being recalled are: McCormack Family Farms Energise Super Mix, 100g, with best before dates of 29/07/2025 and 30/07/2025. McCormack Family Farms Irish Spinach Leaves, 100g, 200g, and 250g, with best before dates of 25/07/2025, 26/07/2025, 27/07/2025, 28/07/2025, 29/07/2025, 30/07/2025, and 31/07/2025. McCormack Family Farms Mixed Leaves, 75g, with best before dates of 29/07/2025. McCormack Family Farms Baby Leaves, 100g and 200g, with best before dates of 25/07/2025, 26/07/2025, 27/07/2025, 28/07/2025, 29/07/2025, 30/07/2025. Tesco Mild Spinach, 350g, with best before dates of 25/07/2025, 26/07/2025, 27/07/2025, 28/07/2025, 29/07/2025, 30/07/2025, and 31/07/2025. Egan's Irish Baby Spinach, 250g, with best before dates of 23/07/2025, 24/07/2025, 25/07/2025, 26/07/2025, and 27/07/2025. SupverValu Spinach bag (unwashed), 250g, with best before dates of 28/07/2025, 30/07/2025, and 31/07/2025 The FSAI said that symptoms of listeria can include mild flu-like symptoms such as gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Symptoms can be more severe in rare cases, it added. "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 three weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days," said the FSAI. Those who have the above products are being told not to eat them, while retailers will be removing the products from sale and displaying recall signs in stores. The recall comes after over 200 ready-made meals produced by Ballymaguire Foods were called back earlier in the week. The authority said that one person with a confirmed case of listeria died, while nine other cases were identified as of Tuesday. Both the FSAI and National Outbreak Control team are investigating the outbreak.
Metro
7 days ago
- Health
- Metro
One killed in Listeria outbreak sparking urgent recall on supermarket ready meal
An 'extensive outbreak' of a deadly bacteria has killed one person in Ireland. There are nine confirmed cases of listeria as of yesterday, linked to a food recall affecting over 141 ready-to-heat meals. The 'voluntary precautionary recall' linked to the outbreak comes from one food manufacturer, Ballymaguire Foods,who provide for Tesco, Aldi, and others across Ireland. A range of chicken curries, lasagnes, bolognaises, pasta bakes, cottage pies, and chow mein dishes are all affected by the recall. The full list of recalled products can be viewed here. Consumers have been warned the ready meals may be contaminated with the bacterium listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is an infection caused by the listeria monocytogenes, usually from eating contaminated food. Listeria monocytogenes infection, or listeriosis, can present as mild flu-like symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms. These include vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. Severe infections can cause serious complications in rare cases. Pregnant women, babies, the elderly and people with weakened immune symptoms are more vulnerable to infections. It takes on average three weeks for symptoms to appear, but that can range from three to 70 days. The country's Food Safety Authority is investigating the outbreak. The Health Service Executive's Health Protection Surveillance Centre is also looking into the listeriosis death and is not releasing any more details about the patient. Ballymaguire Foods said in a statement they are recalling all the products produced at one of their facilities 'following the identification of listeria bacteria as part of a quality control check'. The company 'sincerely apologised' to customers and said they have suspended operations at the affected facility. They added: '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.' Ready-meals which could be at risk include Tesco's Meals Made Easy, Irish Classics and Finest products. Tesco confirmed that the recall also impacts a small number of dishes in Northern Ireland. More Trending They added: 'We're sorry for any inconvenience caused and will issue a full refund to customers who have purchased these products when they return them to their local store.' Aldi's Specially Selected and Inspired Cuisine ranges are also being recalled, alongside a host of other products associated with Irish supermarket brands. Retailers have been instructed to take these implicated ready meals off the shelf, and display recall notices at the point of sale. The Food Safety Authority has also advised caterers not to use these products. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man, in 50s, found dead in London street sparks police raid MORE: 'Caring' mother, 78, killed when Jaguar ploughed into her Coventry home MORE: 'A bus driver killed my daughter but I still blame myself because of one decision'
Egypt Independent
18-04-2025
- Health
- Egypt Independent
Famous restaurants and dessert chains shut down across Egypt in food safety crackdown
Several Egyptian governorates have witnessed intensive inspection campaigns carried out by the regulatory bodies of the Food Safety Authority and the Ministry of Supply, resulting in the closure of a number of branches of well-known dessert chains, Sada al-Balad reported. In Gharbia Governorate, five branches of the 'Balaben' chain in Tanta city were closed after failing to complete the necessary legal papers and documents for operation. It was also found that these branches did not comply with the required health standards. In Giza Governorate, the campaign included the closure of 12 branches belonging to the 'Balaben,' 'Karm El Sham,' and 'Konafa w Basbousa' chains, which are widespread throughout the governorate. These branches were found to be operating without proper licenses. The campaign also extended to Port Said Governorate, where authorities closed the 'Balaben' branch located in the eastern district of Port Said due to its failure to meet official requirements. Cairo Governorate also closed two branches each of 'Balaben,' 'Wahmy Burger,' 'Konafa w Basbousa,' and 'Karm El Sham' on Abdel Khalek Tharwat Street in the downtown area. Officials from the Food Safety Authority affirmed that these measures come within the framework of ongoing monitoring plans to ensure food establishments comply with regulations and laws. They emphasized the importance of these campaigns in maintaining citizens' health and food safety.
