Tesco, Dunnes, and Supervalu shoppers warned as items recalled over bacteria risk
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued an alert on Wednesday for specific batches of Builin Blasta dressings amid concerns over a bacteria risk. A spokesperson said: "Builin Blasta Teo is recalling the below batches of specific Builin Blasta dressings, due to the presence of lactic acid bacteria, which may cause spoilage."
The recall affects certain batches of its Red Onion and Tomato Relish (220g), Caesar Dressing (245g) and Smoked Onion Salsa (340g). The affected products carry these specific batch numbers and use-by dates:
Builin Blasta Red Onion & Tomato Relish
Pack size: 220g
Batch numbers: 844, 942, 1009
Use-by dates: 11/10/2025, 30/01/2026, 09/04/2026
Builin Blasta Caesar Dressing
Pack size: 245g
Batch numbers: 831, 973
Use-by dates: 02/07/2025, 16/12/2025
Builin Blasta Smoked Onion Salsa
Pack size: 340g
Batch numbers: 963, 982, 986, 1022
Use-by dates: 18/02/2026, 13/03/2026, 19/03/2026, 24/04/2026
(Image: FSAI)
Lactic acid bacteria are naturally occurring microorganisms that can lead to food spoilage, resulting in changes to taste, texture and appearance. While generally not harmful to health, their presence means these dressings may no longer be safe or enjoyable to consume.
Only certain Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Supervalu and independent stores stock these items, so shoppers are advised to check Builin Blasta's suppliers list online here and look out for point-of-sale notices in stores. Retailers have been instructed to remove the affected batches from sale immediately. Consumers who have purchased any of the implicated batches are strongly advised not to eat them and to return them for a refund.
The FSAI added: "Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale. Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retail customers. Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches."
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
19 hours 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
20 hours 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.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Listeriosis outbreak ‘unusual' as ready meals must be cooked, and bacteria is sensitive to heat, professor says
The outbreak of a rare bacterial infection, listeriosis, in Ireland is 'unusual' in that it relates to food that should be reheated or cooked, a professor in microbiology has said. Experts have called on members of the public to ensure they heat pre-prepared food products 'thoroughly' to reduce the risk of further infection. On Wednesday, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) confirmed an adult with listeriosis has died , and the watchdog is investigating an 'extensive outbreak' of the disease. Nine cases of listeriosis have been identified as of July 22nd, it said, and there has been a 'voluntary precautionary recall' of 141 ready-made products 'due to a link with the outbreak'. READ MORE 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. Listeriosis generally causes flu-like symptoms. However, pregnant women, babies, older people and those who are immunocompromised are more vulnerable to severe infections. Prof Catherine Rees, professor of microbiology at the University of Nottingham, said the bacteria that causes listeriosis – Listeria monocytogenes – is 'sensitive to heat' and usually associated with soft cheese, pâté or smoked salmon. 'So this outbreak is unusual because the list of recalled products includes dishes that should be reheated or cooked,' she said. 'If the source of the outbreak has been identified, that will help control this outbreak, but symptoms can take some time to develop, so more cases may be reported as time goes on. She added: 'To help reduce the risk of further infections the public should be reminded to always heat pre-prepared food products thoroughly.' Dr Ricardo Calderón González, a research fellow at the school of medicine, dentistry and biomedical sciences at Queen's University Belfast, said the incidence of this disease is low in Ireland. 'But there are two important things to take in consideration: these numbers don't include the number of miscarriages caused by Listeria, and despite the low incidence, mortality rate can be quite high in those that develop the disease, around 20 per cent of those hospitalised,' he said. The implicated products are produced by food manufacturer Ballymaguire Foods, which specialises in the production of freshly prepared meals. All batches and all best-before dates are included. In an updated statement on Thursday, the company said it suspended all production and has 'taken corrective actions, including a full pharmaceutical-grade clean-down of the site'. The company said it has appointed Dr Patrick Wall, a former chief executive of the FSAI and former chairman of the European Food Safety Authority, to lead a 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. Production at the affected facility will only recommence once the relevant authorities are satisfied,' it added.
