DUNNES Stores has issued an urgent product recall on two Christmas food staples due to safety fears.
With less than two weeks to go, the Irish retailer is recalling batches of its Beechwood Smoked and Tomato & Herb Wicklow Cheddar.
1
Dunnes Stores issued an urgent product recall on two Christmas food staplesCredit: FSAI
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland deemed the affected products a safety risk as it may contain Listeria monocytogenes.
It is a type of bacteria that can cause listeriosis – an infection primarily affecting pregnant women, newborns, older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
This bacteria is commonly found in soil, water, and animal feeces and it can contaminate food such as ready-to-eat deli meats, unpasteurised dairy products and raw vegetables.
Listeriosis can lead to severe health complications, including meningitis and in some cases, even sepsis.
Symptoms of the infection may include fever, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal issues.
Due to its ability to grow at refrigerator temperatures, Dunnes Stores issued the warning urgently as the cheese products are among the top bought at Christmas time.
The FSAI said: “Dunnes Stores is recalling the below batches of its Beechwood Smoked and Tomato & Herb Wicklow Cheddar due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
“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 the elderly.”
What is Listeria and why is it dangerous?
The batch code of the Beechwood Smoked Cheddar is 24182 with a use by date of 28/02/25.
The batch code of the Tomato & Herb Cheddar is 24302 with a use by date of 09/02/25.
Shoppers who bought the affected products are being advised to throw them away immediately.
Buyers are also entitled to a refund.
The FSAI added: “Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated cheeses and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.”
ALLERGEN WARNING
The FSAI was also notified by the Food Standards Agency in the UK that batches of mustard flour imported from India have been found to contain undeclared peanut protein.
As a precautionary measure, the FSAI is advising anyone with a peanut allergy or suspected peanut allergy not to eat anything containing mustard.
The association is also advising consumers to check the labelling on products before eating.
Mustard is a top-priority food allergen in the EU and must be declared on pre-packed food and for non-pre-packed food when it’s used as an ingredient.
‘WORKING URGENTLY’
The FSAI also advised that the UK is “working urgently” to figure out the source and distribution chains for the affected batches.
The investigation is ongoing, and the FSAI is working with the UK agency.