Urgent Recall: Spar Goats Cheese Withdrawn Over Listeria Concerns

• Food safety officials issued an urgent recall yesterday for Spar Chèvre Goats Cheese with today's use-by date due to possible Listeria contamination, with retailers across Cork asked to immediately remove the product from shelves.

The recall was announced on Monday, 11 August 2025, affecting the 100g packs of Spar Chèvre Goats Cheese with a use-by date of 12 August 2025. The French-origin cheese is being withdrawn as a precautionary measure due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Authorities have stressed that there is currently no evidence linking this recall to the recent listeriosis outbreak connected to ready-to-heat meals or the earlier recall of spinach and mixed leaves products. The recall affects only the specific batch with the 12 August 2025 use-by date.

Listeria infection can cause mild flu-like symptoms or gastrointestinal issues including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. While most people experience mild symptoms, the infection can be more severe for vulnerable groups.

Pregnant women, babies, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems face higher risks from Listeria infections. In rare cases, the bacteria can cause serious complications requiring medical attention.

The incubation period for Listeria is typically three weeks but can range from three to 70 days, meaning symptoms may not appear immediately after consumption. This extended timeframe makes it crucial for anyone who has consumed the affected product to remain vigilant for symptoms.

Spar retailers throughout Cork have been instructed to remove the implicated batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale locations. Customers who have purchased the affected cheese should not consume it.

Anyone who has already eaten the product and feels unwell should contact their GP, particularly if they belong to one of the vulnerable groups mentioned. The recall notice carries the alert notification number 2025.40 for reference.