Former FSAI boss to spearhead Ballymaguire Foods' response to listeria outbreak
The company said Dr Patrick Wall will probe the outbreak and confirmed all of its products have been withdrawn as a "precautionary measure".
The bacteria can cause mild flu-like symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, but in a rare handful, serious complications can lead to death.
In a statement, they said: "We suspended all production and have taken corrective actions, including a full pharmaceutical-grade clean-down of the site.
"To further strengthen our response, we have appointed Dr Patrick Wall - former Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, former Chairperson of the European Food Safety Authority, and former Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin - to lead our dedicated and experienced response team.
"The team has a singular focus: to fully and effectively resolve this matter. It is doing so in close collaboration with the relevant public health authorities." Some of the recalled meals produced by Ballymaguire Foods (Image: FSAI)
Dr Wall and the team will oversee all aspects of the review, which also encompasses implementing any necessary enhanced procedures.
Ballmaguire Foods said they will only start producing food again at the affected facility once "relevant authorities are satisfied".
Earlier this week, the FSAI confirmed an adult had died after contracting listeria infection. It is believed the victim had consumed a contaminated ready meal.
As of Tuesday, the FSAI said nine confirmed cases of listeria had been identified. The prepared meals and side dishes - produced by Ballymaguire Foods - and sold at Tesco, SuperValu, Centra and Aldi - include cottage pies, lasagnes, pasta bakes, curries and potato side dishes
The recall includes ready meals from Tesco Finest, The Happy Pear, SuperValu Signature Taste, and Centra Freshly Prepared.
Tesco Finest Creamed Spinach was also added to the list of products produced by Ballymaguire Foods that are being recalled.
The FSAI said all packed sizes of the product were being recalled.
Ballymaguire Foods said it is "deeply aware that people have been impacted by consuming its freshly prepared meals. We acknowledge the concern and anxiety that this has caused and are treating it with the utmost seriousness".
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The Journal
3 days ago
- The Journal
Food company at centre of listeriosis outbreak was hit with two prohibition orders in recent weeks
BALLYMAGUIRE FOODS WAS served with two prohibition orders in the weeks leading up to a mass recall of ready meals and side dishes that it produces. These prohibition orders were part of the same investigation that ultimately led to the recall of over 140 food items this week. A prohibition order serves to prohibit the sale of an impacted product, either temporarily or permanently. Following these prohibition orders on 30 June and 18 July, a recall notice was issued to consumers and retailers. These recall notices were also listed on the FSAI website and an alert was sent to the media. Food items are often removed from shelves due to recall notices issued by the FSAI, but such notices tend to involve only certain batches. In a statement today, Ballymaguire Foods said that all of its products have been withdrawn and that the company has suspended all production. The company added that production at the affected facility 'will only recommence once the relevant authorities are satisfied'. The move comes after a total of 142 different ready-made meals and side dishes which are made and distributed by Dublin-based Ballymaguire Foods and sold in major supermarkets across Ireland were recalled due to the possible presence of bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Medical professionals are currently investigating the death of an adult with confirmed listeriosis. Nine cases of listeriosis had been confirmed as of Tuesday. Previous recall notices On 30 June , the FSAI issued recall notices on various branded Bacon & Cabbage Dinners produced by Ballymaguire Foods due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. These included meals produced for SuperValu, Tesco, and Centra. A HSE inspector was of the opinion that the various Bacon & Cabbage meals were 'injurious to health and unfit for human consumption' and directed that the ready meals be recalled. Advertisement Close to three weeks later, on 18 July , Ballymaguire Foods was again served a prohibition, with a recall notice being issued for various pre-packaged 'Turkey and Ham Dinners', which were sold in Centra and Supervalu. In a statement to The Journal , the FSAI said these two recall notices are 'part of the same investigation that is underway and which has resulted' in the recall of over 140 food items this week. A spokesperson for the FSAI added: 'As this is an on-going investigation no further details can be released.' 'Corrective actions' In a statement today, Ballymaguire Foods said it has appointed a public health expert to lead its response and that it is 'treating it with the utmost seriousness'. The spokesperson said the company is 'committed to doing everything necessary to responsibly and transparently address this, in full collaboration with the public health authorities'. As a precautionary measure, all Ballymaguire Food products have been withdrawn and it has suspended all production. The spokesperson said the company has 'taken corrective actions, including a full pharmaceutical-grade clean-down of the site' and that 'production at the affected facility 'will only recommence once the relevant authorities are satisfied'. It has also appointed Dr. Patrick Wall—former Chief Executive of the FSAI and former Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin—to lead its response team and review, including the implementation of any necessary enhanced procedures. 'We sincerely apologise for the concern this may cause,' said the spokesperson. 'Incidents of this nature are exceptionally rare and we are treating this with the utmost seriousness. 'We are acting decisively and transparently to protect public health which is of paramount importance to us.' Symptoms Listeriosis arises from an infection from Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Symptoms 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 and 70 days. 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
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former FSAI boss to spearhead Ballymaguire Foods' response to listeria outbreak
The former head of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland will spearhead Ballymaguire Foods' response to a listeria monocytogenes outbreak. The company said Dr Patrick Wall will probe the outbreak and confirmed all of its products have been withdrawn as a "precautionary measure". The bacteria can cause mild flu-like symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, but in a rare handful, serious complications can lead to death. In a statement, they said: "We suspended all production and have taken corrective actions, including a full pharmaceutical-grade clean-down of the site. "To further strengthen our response, we have appointed Dr Patrick Wall - former Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, former Chairperson of the European Food Safety Authority, and former Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin - to lead our dedicated and experienced response team. "The team has a singular focus: to fully and effectively resolve this matter. It is doing so in close collaboration with the relevant public health authorities." Some of the recalled meals produced by Ballymaguire Foods (Image: FSAI) Dr Wall and the team will oversee all aspects of the review, which also encompasses implementing any necessary enhanced procedures. Ballmaguire Foods said they will only start producing food again at the affected facility once "relevant authorities are satisfied". Earlier this week, the FSAI confirmed an adult had died after contracting listeria infection. It is believed the victim had consumed a contaminated ready meal. As of Tuesday, the FSAI said nine confirmed cases of listeria had been identified. The prepared meals and side dishes - produced by Ballymaguire Foods - and sold at Tesco, SuperValu, Centra and Aldi - include cottage pies, lasagnes, pasta bakes, curries and potato side dishes The recall includes ready meals from Tesco Finest, The Happy Pear, SuperValu Signature Taste, and Centra Freshly Prepared. Tesco Finest Creamed Spinach was also added to the list of products produced by Ballymaguire Foods that are being recalled. The FSAI said all packed sizes of the product were being recalled. Ballymaguire Foods said it is "deeply aware that people have been impacted by consuming its freshly prepared meals. We acknowledge the concern and anxiety that this has caused and are treating it with the utmost seriousness". Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Extra.ie
FSAI expands listeria recall to over 200 foods following outbreak
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