FSAI recalls several batches of sliced ham due to possible listeria presence

Five different batches of cooked ham are being recalled due to the possible presence of listeria moncytogenes.

The Food Safety Authority Ireland (FSAI) said the products with a use-by date of July 16 should not be eaten, and retailers are being asked to remove them from sale and display recall notices.

Listeria monocytogenes infections can cause 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 these infections, the FSAI warned, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly.

The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average three weeks but can range between three and 70 days.

The affected products include:

• Brady Family Wood Smoked Real Irish Ham, six slices, 80g, batch number 235417 
• Brady Family Hand Crumbed Real Irish Ham, six slices, 80g, 235880 & 235765 
• Deluxe Triple Oak Smoked Carved Irish Ham, five slices, 130g, 235461 
• Deluxe Honey Roast Carved Irish Ham, five slices, 130g, 235473 
• Tesco Finest Crumbed Shaved Ham, 16 slices

It comes as new guidance has been issued by the FSAI on how to comply with stricter EU food safety legal limits for the control of Listeria in ready-to-eat foods being placed on the market.

The new rules which come in from July 1, will oblige food businesses to have "robust food safety controls in place" to ensure compliance with the "more stringent limit" for the bacteria.

This limit applies to ready-to-eat foods, and testing against the stricter limit requires use of a more sensitive microbiological test method that is able to detect listeria at low levels, should it be present in food.

"This could mean that in the coming months consumers might see more food businesses recalling ready-to-eat foods due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes," the FSAI said.

"If that happens, then consumers will also see more food alerts through the FSAI food alert system informing them of the actions they need to take for those foods.

"This is more likely to occur if food businesses do not have robust procedures in place for effectively managing the risk of Listeria monocytogenes in the ready-to-eat foods they manufacture and place on the market," they added.