Chilled ready meal producer Ballymaguire Foods has initiated a full recall of products produced at one of its facilities following the identification of listeria bacteria.

The listeria outbreak has reportedly resulted in nine confirmed cases, and has been linked to a death.

Ballymaguire Foods recalled the affected products, which included ready meals such as chicken carbonara, beef stroganoff, butter chicken and veggie bolognese as well as chicken arrabiata, chicken laksa and chorizo mac and cheese. Other recalled products include sides of potato mash and gratin.

Team appointed to resolve the outbreak

The producer has now appointed Dr Patrick Wall to lead its dedicated response team. Dr Wall is the former chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, former chairperson of the European Food Safety Authority and former Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin.

Ballymaguire Foods said the team will aim to “fully and effectively” resolve the matter in close collaboration with the relevant health authorities, and will only recommence production at the affected facility when “the relevant authorities are satisfied”.

In a statement, Ballymaguire Foods commented: “Incidents of this nature are extremely rare for us. We are treating it with the utmost seriousness and are working closely with all parties to manage the situation swiftly and responsibly.

“Immediately upon identifying the issue, we informed our retail and foodservice customers and engaged with all relevant authorities, including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Health Service Executive (HSE), and our regional Environmental Health Officer.

“Our internal team, supported by independent external experts, conducted a comprehensive assessment and implemented immediate corrective actions. These included a full pharmaceutical-grade clean down of the facility. In consultation with the relevant statutory bodies and our customers, we will resume production once it is confirmed safe to do so.”

The company has withdrawn its products from shelves, with the affected supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi, Centra and SuperValu.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland confirms investigation

A statement from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland said: “A National Outbreak Control Team is currently investigating an extensive outbreak of listeriosis. A voluntary precautionary food recall of ready-to-heat meals is underway due to a link with the outbreak.

“Nine confirmed cases of listeriosis have been identified as of 22nd July 2025. The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been notified of and is investigating the death of an adult with confirmed listeriosis. To ensure medical confidentiality, no further information on this patient can be disclosed.

“The National Outbreak Control Team is chaired by the HSE National Health Protection Office and comprises the HSE National Environmental Health Service, the HSE Regional Public Health Services, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the National Salmonella, Shigella and Listeria Reference Laboratory and the National Reference Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

“The investigation is ongoing and there is no further comment at this time.”