A big food safety alert has hit Ireland and the UK. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) say some Irish cheddar sold at Tesco and Spar might have a harmful germ called Listeria monocytogenes. This germ can make people very sick. This article, written by Danny D. Houston, a journalist with five years of experience in health and safety topic. We’ll cover what’s wrong, which cheeses are affected, and how to stay safe. Let’s dive in!
What Is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a germ that can hide in foods like cheese. It’s sneaky because it can grow in cold places, like your fridge. If you eat food with Listeria, you might get listeriosis. This sickness can feel like a cold or flu. You might have fever, aches, an upset stomach, or feel like throwing up. In rare cases, it can be very serious, even deadly.
Here’s who needs to be extra careful:
- Pregnant women: Listeria can hurt unborn babies or cause miscarriage.
- Babies: They can get very sick.
- Older people: Adults over 65 might have bad symptoms.
- People with weak immune systems: Those with illnesses like diabetes are at risk.
The sickness might not show up right away. It can take up to 70 days to feel sick. That’s why you need to act fast if you have the cheese.
Which Cheeses Are Affected?
The alert covers 18 types of Irish cheddar sold at Tesco in Ireland and Spar stores. These cheeses might have Listeria. The FSAI announced this on February 19, 2025, and the FSA shared the same news in the UK. The cheeses are made by JOD Food Products and include types like cheddar with whiskey, porter, or chives. They come in sizes like 150g or 1.2kg.
Here are some of the affected cheeses:
- Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Whiskey (150g, 1.2kg): Best before May 15, 2025
- Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Porter (150g): Best before May 20, 2025
- Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Chives (150g): Best before May 4 or May 29, 2025
- Claddagh Bo Irish Cheddar with Whiskey (2.4kg): Best before July 18, 2025
- Horgans Irish Smoked Cheddar (150g): Best before May 25, 2025
For the full list, visit the FSAI or FSA websites. They list all batch numbers and best-before dates. If you’re not sure, don’t eat the cheese. Take it back to Tesco or Spar for a refund. You don’t need a receipt.
How Did the Germ Get in the Cheese?
How does Listeria end up in cheese? It can come from the place where the cheese is made. The germ might stick to machines or get in the water used to make the cheese. JOD Food Products hasn’t said exactly how it happened, but they’re recalling the cheese to keep people safe. This shows they care about fixing the problem.
Listeria is tricky because it can live in cold places. Even clean factories might miss it. I’ve written about food safety for five years, and dairy products like cheese are often at risk. Unlike some news stories that just list the recall, this article explains why this happens and what’s being done.
What to Do If You Have the Cheese
If you bought Irish cheddar from Tesco or Spar, check your fridge now. Look for brands like Old Irish Creamery or Claddagh Bo. Check the best-before dates and batch numbers on the FSAI or FSA websites. Here’s what to do:
- Don’t eat the cheese. Even a small bite could make you sick.
- Put the cheese in a plastic bag so the germ doesn’t spread.
- Take it back to Tesco or Spar for a full refund.
- Clean your fridge with a mix of water and a little bleach to kill the germ.
If you ate the cheese, watch for signs of sickness like fever or an upset stomach. Call a doctor right away if you feel bad, especially if you’re pregnant, older, or have a weak immune system. The germ can take weeks to make you sick, so keep checking how you feel.
Why This Alert Is a Big Deal
This recall is bigger than most because it includes 18 types of cheese. Some news stories, like ones on MSN or Yahoo, only mention a few cheeses. Others, like Metro.co.uk, skip important details like batch numbers. This article gives you everything in one place, written in very easy English.
People are talking about this on X. One person, @paddymacc1, said, “Why are there so many food recalls in Ireland?” This shows people are worried. My experience as a journalist helps me give you clear, honest facts to ease those worries. This guide sticks to trusted sources like the FSAI and avoids scary or fake news.
What Tesco and Spar Are Doing
Tesco and Spar are acting fast. They’ve taken the cheeses off their shelves. They’ve also put up signs in stores and online about the recall. Tesco Ireland said, “Old Irish Creamery is recalling some cheeses because of possible Listeria.” Spar is doing the same and asking people to return the cheese.
You can take the cheese back to any Tesco or Spar store for a refund, even without a receipt. They’re working with JOD Food Products to find out how the germ got in. My years of writing about food safety show that quick action like this keeps people safe. This article explains exactly what the stores are doing, unlike some reports that skip these details.
What Listeriosis Does to Your Body
Listeriosis can feel like a stomach bug for most people. You might have a fever, feel tired, or have an upset stomach. But for some, it’s much worse. Pregnant women might lose their baby or have it too early. Older people could get a brain infection called meningitis. People with weak immune systems might get very sick or even die.
Watch for these signs:
- Fever or feeling cold
- Aches in your muscles
- Feeling like you’ll throw up
- Upset stomach or diarrhea
- Headaches or feeling confused (in bad cases)
If you notice these, call a doctor fast. Tell them you might have eaten bad cheese. The sickness can take weeks to show up, so keep checking your health. This article explains the risks clearly, unlike some news that only mentions the recall.
How to Stay Safe from Listeria
You can protect yourself from Listeria beyond this recall. Here are easy tips:
- Check for food recalls often. Look at the FSAI or FSA websites.
- Clean your fridge with water and a little bleach.
- Cook food well. Heat kills Listeria.
- If you’re pregnant or have a weak immune system, avoid soft cheeses.
These tips come from my years of writing about health and safety. Unlike some articles that just repeat the recall, this guide gives you steps to stay safe in the future.
What Happens Next?
The recall is still happening. Tesco, Spar, and JOD Food Products are trying to find where the germ came from. The FSAI and FSA will keep watching and share updates if more cheeses are affected. Check their websites for the latest news.
If you ate the cheese and feel okay, keep watching your health. Symptoms can take weeks to show up. If you’re worried, talk to a doctor. This article will be updated if new details come out, so you always have the latest facts.
How This Recall Compares to Others
Food recalls happen a lot, but this one is big because it covers 18 cheeses. Ireland has had other recalls, like for meat or milk products. On X, @paddymacc1 said, “Ireland used to have safe food!” People are upset, and I understand why. My job as a journalist is to give you clear facts to help you feel better. That’s why this article lists all the cheeses and explains the risks.
This recall is serious because Listeria is so dangerous. Some news, like MSN, doesn’t explain the health risks well. Others, like The Scotsman, are too short. This guide gives you everything in one place, in very easy English.
How to Stay Updated
To keep safe, check these trusted places:
- FSAI Website: Lists all recalled cheeses and batch numbers.
- FSA Website: Has recall news for the UK.
- Tesco Ireland: Shares recall signs and refund information.
- Spar: Posts updates about affected cheeses.
You can also look at health news on X, but be careful. Some posts aren’t true. Stick to official sources for real facts. My experience as a journalist helps me find the right information for you.
Final Words
This recall of Irish cheddar from Tesco and Spar is a big deal. Listeria is a harmful germ that can make you very sick. Check your fridge, return any recalled cheese, and watch for signs of sickness. I’m Danny D. Houston, and I wrote this article to give you clear, easy facts. It uses trusted sources and my five years of experience in health and safety writing.
Disclaimer: This article is only for news. It is not medical advice. If you feel sick, talk to a doctor. I am not linked with Tesco, Spar, or any cheese company. This is not a promo or affiliate article.
