MULTIPLE microwave dinners that were sold in SuperValu, Centra and Tesco stores across Ireland have been urgently recalled by food safety bosses.
Customers who picked up the ready-made meals have been issued a “do not eat” alert due to the possible presence of Listeria in the food.
People have been warned not to eat the dinners affected by the recall[/caption]
The affected Bacon and Cabbage dinners have all been recalled[/caption]
Some of the affected dinners were sold in SuperValu, Tesco and Centra[/caption]
Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
But, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications.
Recall notices for the bacon and cabbage dinners will be displayed at point-of-sale – but those who have already bought the product have been urged to check their fridges and freezers.
The Centra Bacon and Cabbage Dinner, From The Farm Bacon and Cabbage Dinner, Good Food Bacon and Cabbage Dinner, SuperValu Bacon and Cabbage Dinner and Tesco Bacon & Cabbage Dinner are all affected by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland recall notice.
Each of the affected items has approval number 4008.
The FSAI said: “Retailers are requested to remove the implicated Bacon and Cabbage Dinners from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
“Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated Bacon and Cabbage Dinners and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
“Caterers should not use the implicated Bacon and Cabbage Dinners.
“Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated Bacon and Cabbage Dinners.”
Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.
It is usually acquired by eating food contaminated with this bacterium.
Listeriosis is a notifiable disease in Ireland, meaning all medical practitioners are required to notify the Director of Public Health of any cases of it.
Anyone can become ill from eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
However, the disease affects primarily pregnant women and their unborn children, newborns, adults with weakened immune systems and the elderly.
HOW DOES LISTERIA GET INTO FOOD?
LISTERIA monocytogenes is widespread in the environment and can be found in soil and water.
Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil or from manure used as fertiliser.
Animals can carry the bacterium without appearing ill, and meat or dairy products from these animals can be contaminated.
Foods may also be contaminated after processing.
The HSPC said: “The foods most often associated with infection are ready-to-eat refrigerated and processed foods such as: pre-prepared cooked and chilled meals, soft cheeses, cold cuts of meat, pâtés and smoked fish.
“Increasingly, outbreaks of listeriosis associated with fresh produce are being reported.”
According to the HSPC, infection in a healthy adult is usually without symptoms or causes a mild flu-like illness.
However, in immunocompromised and elderly individuals the infection can occasionally spread to the central nervous system.
This can cause meningitis or septicaemia, with symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance or convulsions.
The HSPC added: “Infected pregnant women may have no symptoms or experience only a mild flu-like illness.
“However, infection during pregnancy can lead to premature labour, meningitis in the newborn or even miscarriage.”
Infection occurs mainly through eating contaminated food.
The incubation period, which is the time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing, ranges between three and 70 days.
However, the HSPC said the average incubation period is three weeks.
Each of the affected items has approval number 4008[/caption]
Recall notices for the bacon and cabbage dinners will be displayed at point-of-sale[/caption]
