Multiple Food Recalls: Over 200 Products Withdrawn Due to Listeria Contamination
Major food recalls continue with 200+ products withdrawn. Check your fridge for affected ready meals and salads from major Irish retailers.
Food safety authorities have issued four distinct recall alerts in the past month, with the largest involving 214 products from Ballymaguire Foods. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has confirmed these are separate, unrelated contamination incidents.
Timeline of Recalls
18 July: The first recall affected Turkey & Ham Dinners sold under Centra, SuperValu, and Good Food brands, manufactured by Ballymaguire Foods (alert 2025.33).
22 July: A major Category 1 recall was issued for 207 Ballymaguire Foods products (alert 2025.34) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This expanded through three updates:
- 23 July Update 1: Added Centra Freshly Prepared Chicken Massaman with Sticky Jasmine Rice (208 products)
- 23 July Update 2: Added five Tesco products including Finest Chicken Parmigiano and Salmon dishes (213 products)
- 24 July Update 3: Added Tesco Finest Creamed Spinach (214 products total)
27 July: Fresh produce from McCormack Family Farms was recalled (alert 2025.35) following confirmed detection of Listeria monocytogenes. Products included:
- McCormack Family Farms spinach, mixed leaves, and other products
- Tesco Mild Spinach
- Egan's Irish Baby Spinach
- SuperValu Spinach (added in Update 1 same day)
30 July: A single batch of Roast Chicken Basil Pesto Pasta (284g) with use-by date 31/07/2025 was recalled (alert 2025.36). Authorities stated there is no evidence linking this to other recalls.
Affected Retailers and Products
The Ballymaguire Foods recall affects products across:
- Tesco: Irish Classics, Finest, Meals Made Easy, Classic Kitchen ranges
- SuperValu: Signature Taste, Freshly Prepared ranges
- Centra: Own-brand and Freshly Prepared ranges
- Aldi: Specially Selected and Inspired Cuisine ranges
- Various outlets: Clean Cut, Happy Pear, From the Farm, Good Food Locally Sourced brands
Products include cottage pies, beef lasagnes, chicken curries, pasta bakes, and side dishes. All pack sizes, batch codes, and best before dates from establishment IE 4008 EC are affected.
The McCormack Family Farms recall covers spinach and salad products with best before dates ranging from 23 July to 31 July 2025.
Health Information
Listeria monocytogenes can cause mild flu-like symptoms or gastrointestinal issues including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The infection poses particular risks to pregnant women, babies, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
The incubation period averages three weeks but can range from 3 to 70 days. Anyone who has consumed recalled products and feels unwell should consult their GP.
FSAI Reassurance
On 28 July, the FSAI confirmed that the McCormack Family Farms recall is precautionary and not linked to the ready meals outbreak. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the spinach and mixed leaves products. The authority noted that Ireland typically sees only 14 to 22 listeriosis cases annually.
Consumer Action
Do not consume any recalled products. Items should be disposed of safely or returned to the point of purchase. Those who have eaten recalled products and feel well need take no action.
Retailers have removed affected products and are displaying recall notices. Wholesalers and caterers have been instructed not to use any implicated products.
Full product lists are available on the FSAI website.
