Latest news with #FoodSafetyAuthorityofIreland
Irish Post
13 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Post
Investigation launched after listeriosis death following 'extensive outbreak'
ONE person has died following an 'extensive outbreak' of a bacterial infection in Ireland. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FASI) said it is investigating the outbreak and has so far identified nine cases of listeriosis. "The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been notified of and is investigating the death of an adult with confirmed listeriosis," said the FSAI. The news comes as the FSAI issued a recall notice for more than 200 products over the possible presence of the bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes. The FSAI said the various branded prepared meals and side dishes have been produced by Ballymaguire Foods. The products include various branded ranges produced by the company for retailers including Tesco, Supervalu, Centra and Aldi. A full list of implicated products is available here. "A National Outbreak Control Team is currently investigating an extensive outbreak of listeriosis," said the FSAI. "A voluntary precautionary food recall of ready-to-heat meals is underway due to a link with the outbreak." 'Sincerely apologise' In a statement, 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'. "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," it added. "Through our retail partners, all products are being withdrawn from the shelves, and a full consumer communication process is underway." The company added that it had conducted a comprehensive assessment and implemented immediate corrective actions, including a full pharmaceutical-grade clean down of the facility. "We sincerely apologise to our customers and consumers for the concern this may cause," it added. The FSAI say symptoms of listeriosis 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 added. "Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly." See More: Ballymaguire Foods, FSAI, HSE, Listeriosis
RTÉ News
18 hours ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Adult dies with listeriosis as FSAI investigate extensive outbreak
An adult has died with a confirmed case of the bacterial infection listeriosis, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has confirmed. The FSAI said a National Outbreak Control Team is investigating an extensive outbreak of listeriosis linked to a precautionary food recall of ready-to-heat meals. It said nine confirmed cases of listeriosis had been identified as of yesterday. The HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre is investigating the death and to ensure medical confidentiality no further information on the person who died can be disclosed. This follows a food safety recall of ready meals by the FSAI due to fears of the harmful bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Products from Tesco Finest, The Happy Pear, SuperValu Signature Taste, and Centra Freshly Prepared are among a range of ready meals included in the recall. The various branded prepared meals and side dishes are produced by Ballymaguire Foods and are sold in most major supermarkets - including Aldi, Centra, SuperValu, and Tesco - and are branded under the names of its customers. The affected products include pre-made meals such as cottage pie, chicken curry, lasagna, as well as various vegetarian dishes. While the side dishes covered by the recall include mashed potato, potato gratin, green cabbage, and mashed turnip. Aldi's Specially Selected range is also among the affected products. Consumers are advised not to eat any of the more than 140 affected products. Consumers are also advised to check their freezers for the implicated products and dispose of them. In a statement to RTÉ News, Ballymaguire Foods said it 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". The company apologised to customers and said that "incidents of this nature are extremely rare for us" and that it is "treating it with the utmost seriousness and are working closely with all parties to manage the situation swiftly and responsibly". It said: "Immediately upon identifying the issue, we informed our retail and food-service customers and engaged with all relevant authorities, including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Health Service Executive, 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 under way." As a precautionary measure Ballymaguire Foods said that on Saturday it made the decision to temporarily suspend all production at the affected facility, and that a comprehensive assessment and immediate corrective actions were carried out, including a full pharmaceutical-grade clean down of the facility. It said production will resume at the facility once it is confirmed safe to do so. 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 three weeks but can range between three to 70 days.
Irish Independent
10-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Iconic Clare ice cream spot served with closure order after rodent droppings were found near cones wafers
Doolin Ice Cream in Fisher Street, Doolin, Clare, was one of the eight premises that were served a Closure Order by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) this June. The closed area was the food store, located in the yard. The order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998, on June 25 and was then lifted on June 30. The FSAI report explains a 'significant number' of rodent droppings were found in the food store area. 'The droppings were noted in a box containing lids for smoothie cups. The plastic wrapping covering the lids was damaged due to gnawing by rodents and droppings were noted within the plastic wrapping on the lids. 'Rodent droppings were noted on a shelf behind bottles of and droppings were found on a shelf located directly beside boxes of cone wafers. A significant number of droppings were noted on a corner shelf and on the floor beside an ice cream freezer. 'The absence of rodent proofing of the food business as evidenced by the sliding doors leading into the food store were open and unattended at the time of the visit.' Inspectors also noted a build-up of building rubble and miscellaneous items was noted in the old shed in the yard: 'This area could be potential harbourage for rodents and should be removed.' Inspectors concluded: 'A grave and immediate danger to food safety exists in the food premises due to rodent activity and lack of cleaning. Rodents can transmit harmful pathogen to foodstuffs, food contact materials, food contact surfaces, equipment and packaging through their droppings and urine.' Under the FSAI Act, 1998, a Closure Order is served where it is deemed that there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the premises; or where an Improvement Order is not complied with. Closure Orders can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities.
Extra.ie
10-07-2025
- Health
- Extra.ie
Crèche and canteen shut at RTÉ as rodent droppings found
RTÉ's crèche was ordered to close its kitchen and canteen due to a 'significant number of rodent droppings'. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported yesterday that eight closure orders were issued last month. Among these was Wee Care Limited at Donnybrook, a facility provided by RTÉ that cares for children of staff working at the broadcaster. An inspection by the FSAI on June 25 found the kitchen on the premises had failed to comply with the provisions of EC Regulation on the Hygiene of Foodstuffs. Pic: Shutterstock Following this, the crèche was ordered by the FSAI to close its kitchen and the canteen used by staff on the premises due to what the inspector called 'a grave and immediate danger to food safety due to rodent activity'. The inspection found that droppings were present on the floor behind and under two fridges, a freezer and an oven. It also discovered more droppings behind and underneath a fridge in a canteen area. The inspector wrote that 'a lack of cleaning is evident in the premises', saying: 'Rodent droppings have not been cleaned up and the affected areas have not been disinfected.' The inspection further found that 'adequate procedures are not in place to control pests in the premises'. The national broadcaster has spent €5,400 on pest checks and inspections over the past 12 months in its sprawling Dublin 4 complex. Pic: Fran Veale The closure order was lifted two days later after pest control was contacted to address the problems found in the initial inspection. A staff member at RTÉ told 'It shouldn't be too much to ask for our kids to be protected from rat droppings. It should be the bare minimum.' They went on to say the broadcaster needs to take responsibility, saying they 'should be doing more to reassure us as parents instead of washing their hands of it and point the finger at the contractors who run it'. The inspector who visited the crèche warned that 'rodents can transmit harmful pathogens to foodstuffs, food contact surfaces, equipment and packaging through droppings and urine'. The closure comes during an ongoing battle against rodents at RTÉ headquarters. Pic: Getty Images It was reported in early June that RTÉ had spent €5,400 on checks and inspections over the past year to ensure the campus was vermin-free. Last December, it came to light that after the sighting of a mouse at the Wee Care crèche, extermination services had been called to deal with the issue. This process proved unsuccessful after it was reported in February that mouse droppings had been found in the kitchen of the crèche. That same day, a dead mouse was removed from the second floor of the main RTÉ building. This was followed by reports of rats and mice sighted in the main canteen, the wardrobe department and on the set of Fair City. Two Radar mouse traps were bought as a precaution, and RTÉ later said that it had an ongoing contract for areas where rodent activity was suspected. FSAI chief Greg Dempsey said: 'Food safety isn't optional, it's essential. Non-compliance with food law is not tolerated.' Closure orders were issued to Doolin Ice Cream in Co. Clare, All Bar Chicken in Coolock, Co. Dublin, and Il Vicolo in Galway.
Irish Independent
09-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Award-winning Galway restaurant hit with closure notice after discovery of rodent droppings
Il Vicolo of Bridge Mills O'Briens Bridge, Galway city was ordered to close on June 4 by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The decision came after inspectors found rodent droppings within the food business. They concluded that the rodent droppings resulted in a grave and immediate danger for the public. The notice was lifted after two days of closure on June 6. Il Vicolo won 'Best Italian Establishment' at the 2024 edition of Food Awards Ireland and in 2022 was crowned Best Italian restaurant in Ireland at the the National Restaurant Awards. A total of eight food businesses were served closure orders in June for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the EU's Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation Regulations, 2020. The enforcement orders were issued by environmental health officers in the HSE. FSAI Chief Executive Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive said every food business has a legal responsibility to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat. 'Failures like poor hygiene, pest activity, and improper storage are basic errors that can have severe consequences to public health. Food safety isn't optional, it's essential. While we understand the daily pressures on businesses, food safety and hygiene standards must be maintained at all times,' he said. 'A robust food safety management system not only protects public health, but it also supports the long-term success of the food business. Non-compliance with food law is not tolerated and enforcement action will be taken where standards fall short.' Under the FSAI Act, 1998, a Closure Order is served where it is deemed that there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the premises; or where an Improvement Order is not complied with. Closure Orders can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities.
