Ballymaguire Foods appoints public health expert after listeria-linked meal recall

Ballymaguire Foods factory (Facility) in Lusk Co Dublin. Picture: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Ballymaguire Foods, which produced more than 170 prepared meals and side dishes recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes, has appointed a public health expert to lead its response to the situation.

On Wednesday, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said its National Control Team was investigating an outbreak of listeriosis linked to the recall of over 170 ready meals sold in supermarkets nationwide.

On Thursday, Ballymaguire Foods confirmed it had appointed Dr Patrick Wall, former Chief Executive of the FSAI and former Chairperson of the European Food Safety Authority, to lead its response team.

The company said it was treating the matter with "the utmost seriousness."

It stated that its priority has been "a swift, responsible, health-led response, and remains so," adding that, as a precaution, all products have been withdrawn and clear consumer information has been shared with its retail partners.

"We suspended all production and have taken corrective actions, including a full pharmaceutical-grade clean-down of the site."

A company spokesperson added: "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."

Nine cases have been linked to the outbreak so far, and one adult has died with a confirmed case of the rare bacterial infection.

Earlier on Wednesday, the FSAI issued an expanded recall of over 170 ready meals and side dishes sold at Tesco, SuperValu, Aldi, and Centra due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The meals were produced by Dublin-based Ballymaguire Foods.

Affected products include pasta bakes, curries, lasagne, turkey and ham dinners, pasta Bolognese, beef stroganoff, and some vegetarian dishes.

The recalled items include several sold under Tesco's ‘Irish Classics’, ‘Classic Kitchen’, and ‘Finest’ labels, SuperValu's ‘Freshly Prepared’ and ‘Signature Tastes’ labels, and Aldi’s ‘Specially Selected’ and ‘Inspired Cuisine’ labels.

Some own-brand items from Tesco, SuperValu, and Centra are also included in the recall, as are products from The Happy Pear, Clean Cut Meals, and From the Farm.

A full list of all the items recalled can be found here.

Consumers have been advised not to eat any of the affected products and to check their fridges and freezers for implicated items and dispose of them.

Ballymaguire Foods said it understands the public has questions and would continue to address them "openly and responsibly."

"Where appropriate, we are referring queries to the relevant authorities. We recognise the vital role of the FSAI as the primary body in addressing public queries and its guidance to consumers on food safety and best practice. 

"The FSAI continues to advise the public that anyone with queries should contact it on [e-mail]," the spokesperson said.

The company also apologised for the concern the recall may cause.

"As we have stated, incidents of this nature are exceptionally rare and we are treating this with the utmost seriousness," the spokesperson added.

"We are acting decisively and transparently to protect public health which is of paramount importance to us."