An adult died from listeriosis after eating contaminated food during a listeria outbreak. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) confirmed nine cases due to ready-made meals sold in Tesco, Centra, Aldi, and SuperValu. Officials reviewed the manufacturer, Ballymaguire Foods, and detected Listeria at one of their production plants. After recalling the prepared meals and extensive cleaning, Ballymaguire Foods’ products are back on the shelves.
Nine Sick and One Dead From a Listeria Outbreak
The Ballymaguire Foods’ site in County Dublin was served with prohibition orders from the Irish Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in June and July. The June order reports finding Listeria monocytogenes in the pre-packaged bacon and cabbage dinner after Ballymaguire Foods submitted samples. This made them unfit for human consumption, leading to their products being recalled from stores around Ireland. This involved prepared foods including cottage pies, lasagnes, pasta bakes, curries, and potato and rice side dishes. Retailers were asked to remove the items from their shelves, and consumers were warned not to eat them.
Ballymaguire Foods appointed Professor Patrick Wall, a public health expert and former Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) chief executive, to lead the response team. “Listeria is a naturally occurring, complex, and challenging bacteria that, while rare, requires close attention and strong controls in food environments. Managing it is not just about routine hygiene. It requires a deep understanding of how it behaves and an unrelenting attention to detail,” he said, according to Food Safety News. “In response to this incident, Ballymaguire Foods has implemented protocols that go beyond best practice, fully align with regulatory standards, and set a benchmark that exceeds industry norms… Every measure is grounded in international best practice and scientific evidence, with a focus on maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene and consumer health protection…”
Revamping Food Safety Measures
Edward Spellman, co-founder and managing director at Ballymaguire Foods, gave a statement about their new protocols. “Our team worked closely with public health authorities and independent experts throughout this review, and I want to acknowledge their support, rigour, and professionalism. Food safety has always been central to who we are,” he said, according to the Irish Examiner. “This experience has challenged us to go even further, to enhance our systems, deepen our expertise, and apply new industry-leading standards..”
Listeria outbreaks aren’t common, but they are associated with high death rates. No information about the deceased was publicized to protect their privacy. Ballymaguire Foods said the HSE approved their reopening, according to Food Safety News, after a “pharmaceutical-grade clean-down of the site.”
More About Listeria
The foodborne illness listeriosis is caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Compared to similar illnesses like Salmonella, Listeriosis is rare but potentially more dangerous. Even with antibiotic treatment, the mortality rate is 20 to 30% according to the FDA. Over 90% of people involved with a listeria outbreak need to be hospitalized, often in the ICU. The bacteria can survive in a wide range of conditions, including hot and cold temperatures, acidic and salty environments, and low moisture. This is how listeria can multiply and linger in food procession plants and cause contamination, even in refrigerated food.
People get infected with listeriosis through eating contaminated food or handling contaminated surfaces before touching their mouths. The bacteria tend to appear in a variety of foods, including ready-to-eat dishes, deli meat, seafood, and salads. Other potential sources are red meat, raw vegetables, and unpasteurized milk products. Fortunately, the cooking process, pasteurization, and most disinfecting agents can eliminate L. monocytogenes.
Symptoms of Listeriosis
Pregnant women are typically told to avoid raw seafood and deli meat because they are 18% more likely to get listeria than other adults, and the disease can infect the fetus and newborn. Healthy people who get this illness are less likely to become seriously ill. This is not the case for people with weakened immune systems and those aged 65 or older. The symptoms of listeriosis vary depending on the severity, according to the CDC. They tend to include:
- Confusion
- Diarhea
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms like fatigue and muscle aches
- Headaches
- Loss of balance
- Muscle or joint pain
- Seizures
- Stiff neck
- Vomiting
Keep in mind, symptoms of Listeria in pregnant women tend to be mild, if they appear at all. But the infection can lead to a miscarriage, premature delivery, or a potentially fatal infection in the infant. In any patient, the signs can begin a few days or up to two weeks after eating the contaminated food. Listeria can cause serious complications if it spreads from the digestive tract to other parts of the body. These include endocarditis, meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, urinary tract infections, and more. In extreme cases, it can lead to death or long-lasting health issues like blindness, paralysis, organ failure, and developmental challenges. Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics, although mild cases may not need treatment. Contact your healthcare provider if you’ve consumed something recalled due to listeria outbreaks.
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