The Food Standards Agency has recalled 18 cheese products due to potential listeria contamination, urging consumers to return affected items for a full refund.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a significant recall of 18 cheese products sold in various supermarkets, including Tesco and Spar, due to concerns over potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes. This urgent action follows findings that certain cheeses may pose health risks associated with this bacterium.
The affected products include a range of cheeses from different producers, especially under the Old Irish Creamery brand. Specific varieties recalled are as follows:
- Spar Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Chilli, 150g, with a use by date of 25 May 2025.
- Horgans Irish Smoked Cheddar, 150g, also with a use by date of 25 May 2025.
- A selection of Irish Cheddar products under the Old Irish Creamery label, including those infused with red wine, Sriracha, and pepper, with varying use by dates in May 2025.
- Products featuring Irish whiskey and porter beer, with larger weights of up to 2.4kg, set to expire in June and July 2025.
In outlining the risks, the FSA stated that symptoms linked to listeria may present similarly to flu, featuring high temperatures, muscle aches, chills, nausea, and diarrhoea. In severe cases, particularly among vulnerable populations such as elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems, listeria infections can lead to serious health complications, potentially including meningitis.
To mitigate risks, the FSA has mandated that point of sale notices will be displayed at retail locations where the products were sold, instructing customers on the recall process. Consumers who have purchased any of these products are advised not to consume them and instead return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those seeking further information or guidance can reach out to JOD Food Products at the provided contact number.
The Wales Online is reporting on this urgent recall, emphasising the importance of consumer safety amidst foodborne illness concerns.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-02-2025 – This URL supports the information about Listeria monocytogenes contamination in food products and the risks associated with it, similar to the concerns raised in the article.
- https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/savencia-cheese-usa-announces-voluntary-recall-select-soft-ripened-cheeses – This URL provides details on a similar recall due to Listeria contamination, highlighting the risks and actions taken by companies to ensure consumer safety.
- https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/listeria – This URL would provide general information on Listeria monocytogenes, its risks, and how it affects different populations, supporting the health risks mentioned in the article.
- https://www.tesco.com/help/food-recall – This URL could provide information on how Tesco handles food recalls, which might include details on displaying point of sale notices and refund processes for affected products.
- https://www.spar.co.uk/food-safety – This URL might offer insights into Spar’s food safety policies and procedures for handling recalls, aligning with the actions described in the article.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative mentions specific use by dates in May and June 2025, indicating recent and current information.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative to verify.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Wales Online, a reputable local news outlet, and references the Food Standards Agency, a trusted authority on food safety.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The recall due to listeria contamination is plausible and consistent with typical food safety actions.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and reliable, referencing a recent food recall by a trusted authority. The lack of direct quotes does not detract from the overall credibility.
