Everything we know so far as one adult dead after listeriosis outbreak

Extra.ie​

24-07-2025

An adult has died with a confirmed case of the bacterial infection listeriosis amid an 'extensive' outbreak linked to hundreds of types of ready meals, officials have said.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said its National Outbreak Control Team was investigating the outbreak, with nine confirmed cases identified as of Tuesday. It said this was linked to its precautionary recall of ready-to-heat meals.
The FSAI had recalled on Tuesday night over 200 different types of ready meals sold in major supermarkets, which it warned could be contaminated with listeria. An adult has died with a confirmed case of the bacterial infection listeriosis amid an 'extensive' outbreak linked to hundreds of types of ready meals, officials have said. Pic: Getty Images
The HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre confirmed that it was investigating the death. It said it could not disclose any further details to ensure medical confidentiality.
Consumers are being warned not to eat the meals and side dishes as they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium. The 201 products include chicken curries, lasagnes, bolognese, pasta bakes, cottage pies, and chow mein.
Affected side dishes include ready-made mashed potatoes, carrots and peas, green cabbage and pilau rice. They have been sold in Tesco, SuperValu, Centra, Lidl, Aldi, and other outlets. Affected side dishes include ready-made mashed potatoes, carrots and peas, green cabbage and pilau rice. They have been sold in Tesco, SuperValu, Centra, Lidl, Aldi, and other outlets. Pic: WD Stock Photos/Shutterstock
The FSAI has said retailers must remove the implicated products from sale, and display recall notices in their stores. Wholesalers and distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated products, while caterers should not use these products.
Consumers are advised not to eat the listed products, and to check their freezers and throw out any of the ready meals mentioned.
The products are produced by food manufacturer Bally-Maguire Foods, from Lusk, Co. Dublin, which describes itself as a market leader in chilled ready meals. Its products are marketed under the private label brands of its customers, and the affected products include Tesco's Meals Made Easy, Irish Classics and Finest products. The FSAI has said retailers must remove the implicated products from sale, and display recall notices in their stores. Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
The Happy Pear, Food To Go, Clean Cut, Fuel'd Foods, and Kitchen products are also listed. SuperValu's Signature Taste, SuperValu and Freshly Prepared ranges contain affected products, the FSAI said.
Products from Centra's Centra and Freshly Prepared range are also listed, as is the Inspired Cuisine and Special Selected range of Aldi. Other affected products are in the From the Farm and Good Food Locally Sourced brands, sold in various retailers.
The full list of products recalled by the Food Safety Authority can be seen at fsai.ie online.
Food safety inspectors are working to trace any further products that may have been potentially affected. The FSAI said 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. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Ballymaguire Foods said that it had taken 'immediate corrective actions' and has apologised to its customers for any concern caused. It said it had issued a full 'precautionary recall' of all products prepared at one of its facilities, after a quality control check identified Listeria bacteria.
'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,' it said in a statement.
The company said it had undertaken a full pharmaceutical-grade clean-down of the facility, and 'will resume production once it is confirmed safe to do so'.