5 days ago
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The company said Dr Patrick Wall will probe the outbreak and confirmed all of its products have been withdrawn as a "precautionary measure".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".
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