The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued two separate food alerts on recalls of cheese products, in both cases due to the presence of listeria monocytogenes.
The first food alert relates to a recall by Lidl Ireland of a batch of Deluxe Oak Smoked Cheddar Cheese Wedge, and Deluxe Walnut Cheddar Cheese Wedge.
For both products, packages of 150g and with best before date of May 11, 2025 are affected.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale. Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch of cheese.
The later alert relates to specific batches of various Old Irish Creamery Cheese products.
The affected batches are as follows:
Within the implicated batches, all pack sizes are affected.
Again, recall notices will be displayed at point of sale, and consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches of cheese.
Symptoms of listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications.
Some people are more vulnerable to listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including adults over the age of 65.
The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average three weeks, but can range between three and 70 days.
In other FSAI news, the authority has announced the appointment of a new chief executive, who will take up the role from March 1.
Greg Dempsey will take over from Dr. Pamela Byrne when her tenure in the role comes to an end.
Dempsey is currently a deputy secretary general at the Department of Health.
The incoming FSAI chief executive is a native of Dublin and is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, holding a bachelor of science degree in financial information systems.
He is also a qualified chartered certified accountant.