Food company at centre of listeriosis outbreak was hit with two prohibition orders in recent weeks
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In a statement today, Ballymaguire Foods said that all of its products have been withdrawn and that the company has suspended all production.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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
16 minutes ago
- Agriland
Investigation Ongoing as One Person Confirmed Dead with Listeriosis Fsai
One person has died from a listeriosis infection according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The infection is usually acquired as a result of eating contaminated food. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently investigating the death of the adult. The HSE said that nine confirmed cases of listeriosis have now been identified in Ireland since yesterday (Tuesday, July 22) and that a National Outbreak Control Team is currently investigating the "extensive outbreak of listeriosis". According to the FSAI "a voluntary precautionary food recall of ready-to-heat meals is underway due to a link with the outbreak". The FSAI has issued several recall notices on more than 140 prepared meals and side dishes produced by Ballymaguire Foods "due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes". These meals and side dishes include certain products for Tesco, Supervalu, Centra, Aldi, the Happy Pear and other brands. 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. It has highlighted 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,' the FSAI stated. 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.
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘Harvey was our rock star' – Parents of boy (9) who waited years for scoliosis surgery vow to continue campaigning after his death
'We are devastated, Harvey was our rock star, and we will continue to campaign for other children in similar situations as Harvey,' his father, Stephen Morrison, said. 'We have to continue to campaign for other kids, because if we didn't we would be doing Harvey a disservice.' 'After a while we will go strong again in our campaign. There are so many other children like Harvey and families like ours who need help and support,' Mr Morrison said. 'Harvey was our Little Rock star, he would burst into a room, he wanted to let everyone know he was in the room. 'Anyone who met him said he had these big wide beautiful eyes that would draw you into him, a lot of people said to us that they felt like Harvey was here before, that he was an old soul.' 'Harvey was battling for so long, we are absolutely devastated,' Stephen said. Little Harvey's remains will repose at Massey Bros Funeral Home, Clondalkin, Dublin, from 3pm-5pm, Friday, August 1. Harvey will be remembered at a public cremation service, at Newland's Crematorium Chapel, Newlands Cross, Dublin, (D22 EOCO), at 1pm, Saturday. Harvey, from Clondalkin, was waiting three years for scoliosis surgery as the curvature on his spine continued to extend to a life-threatening 130 degrees. The spinal curve grew so serious that it was crushing Harvey's ribcage and lungs and putting severe pressure on his heart. ADVERTISEMENT His severe condition was highlighted in February 2024 when his parents, Gillian Sherratt and Mr Morrison, shared a heartbreaking video of their vulnerable son struggling to breathe due to the curve on his spine. The boy's story of perseverance in the face of his worsening condition and delays in his surgery, as well as growing spinal waiting lists for children's surgery nationally, were all later highlighted in the Dáil. Despite long demanding action over their son's surgery, Ms Sherratt discovered during a routine enquiry last August that, in fact, Harvey had been removed from Children's Health Ireland's active scoliosis surgical waiting list without their knowledge. While not directly involved in their son's care, orthopaedic surgeon David Moore, emailed Ms Sherratt in response and told her: "I apologise for any misunderstanding that appears to have occurred in respect of Harvey's case." Mr Moore also explained in the email that Harvey was not a candidate for surgery abroad, but that he was "happy to facilitate' Harvey being reviewed by two Irish-based surgeons. Harvey eventually had his surgery last December, however as his curve had grown to such a significant size, it was impossible to completely correct it. Professor Damian McCormack, lead consultant surgeon in paediatric orthopaedic surgery at Temple Street Children's Hospital, performed the surgery reducing some of the pressure on the boy's lungs and heart. Ms Sherratt said at the time that she and Mr Morrison had 'huge respect' for Prof McCormack, and that they were 'so thankful to Professor Damian McCormack for being the only person that was actually willing to operate on Harvey'. In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Sherratt said: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that myself and Stephen (Morrison) have to announce that our little rockstar Harvey passed away this morning with us by his side, arrangements to follow and it will be open to any and all of you who have supported him throughout his short life.' In a poignant joint tribute to their son, in his obituary notice, they wrote: 'Words cannot convey the heartbreak we feel in announcing that on 29th July after a very short illness, our little rockstar Harvey passed away in the arms of mum and dad.' 'He will be dearly missed by anyone who was lucky enough to know him…In his short life Harvey faced more challenges than most, and was the bravest, strongest and most courageous boy.' 'To know him was to love him, and he definitely left his mark on this world. 'If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever'.' Harvey's parents invited friends and the wider public 'to join us to celebrate Harvey's life, and dress in colour' at his cremation service, and they asked that mourners make a donation, if desired, to Child Vision In Memory of Harvey, in lieu of flowers. Harvey Morrison Sherratt is survived by his parents Gillian and Stephen, his sister Lyla and brother Remy, grandparents Ann, Gordon, Christina and Thomas, and his aunts, uncles and cousins.
Agriland
2 hours ago
- Agriland
Further food recall due to listeria
There has been a further food recall issued due to concerns about the presence of listeria. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued a recall notice for a batch of Aldi Roast Chicken Basil Pesto Pasta. The pack size is 284g and the best before date on the particular batch is 31/07/2025. The batch of Roast Chicken Pesto Pasta is being recalled due to the presence of listeria monocytogenes. The FSAI has stated that recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale. It added that there is currently no evidence that this food recall is linked with the listeriosis outbreak related to ready-to-heat meals or the recall of spinach and mixed leaves products in the past fortnight. 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 and 70 days. Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale. Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batch and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers. Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch Last week it was confirmed that one person had died from a listeriosis infection. The infection is usually acquired as a result of eating contaminated food. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is investigating the death of the adult. The HSE said that nine confirmed cases of listeriosis have been identified in Ireland since July 22). A National Outbreak Control Team is currently investigating the "extensive outbreak of listeriosis". Click the AgriFocus podcast below to find out everything you need to know about listeria.
