LATEST: Company at centre of major food recall hires public health expert to lead response

Food production company Ballymaguire Foods have temporarily suspended production at an affected facility following news that a person has died after an "extensive outbreak" of Listeriosis. 

Just days ago, a recall of over 200 food products by this company was issued through the Food Safety Authority of Ireland after fears of a possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. 

Currently, nine cases of Listeriosis have been confirmed in Ireland. 

In a statement, today, July 24, Ballymaguire Foods said they are "deeply aware" that people have been impacted by this and acknowledged both the concern and anxiety this has caused, confirming that they are treating it with the "utmost seriousness."

They said, "Since our foundation in 2008, protecting our customers has been, and remains, our highest priority. We recognise the trust placed in us by consumers and are committed to doing everything necessary to responsibly and transparently address this, in full collaboration with the public health authorities.

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"Our priority has been a swift, responsible, health-led response and remains so. As a precautionary measure, all products have been withdrawn. Clear consumer information is being provided through our retail partners. We have suspended all production and have taken corrective actions, including a full pharmaceutical-grade clean-down of the site."

The business said they have appointed Dr Patrick Wall, 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 to lead a dedicated and experienced response team.

Ballymaguire Foods continued: "The team has a singular focus: to fully and effectively resolve this matter. It is doing so in close collaboration with the relevant public health authorities. Production at the affected facility will only recommence once the relevant authorities are satisfied.

"Dr Wall and the team are overseeing all aspects of the review, including implementation of any necessary enhanced procedures. Its remit also includes evaluating experiences with similar incidents and identifying and replicating best practices from other jurisdictions to inform and strengthen our long-term approach to food safety.

"We sincerely apologise for the concern this may cause. As we have stated, incidents of this nature are exceptionally rare and we are treating this with the utmost seriousness. We are acting decisively and transparently to protect public health which is of paramount importance to us," they concluded. 

The company has said anyone with queries regarding the recall can contact info@fsai.ie for further clarity.