'Do not eat' warning issued amid fears cheese is contaminated with Listeria

A number of cheese products have been recalled by Spar and Tesco

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Ian CraigGAU Content Editor

15:10, 21 FEB 2025

A block of cheddar cheese cut into slices on a chopping board. On a rustic wooden kitchen table kitchen utensils and herbs in the background. — If you've bought any cheese from Spar recently you should check to see if it should be returned. (Image: Getty)

Customers are being warned not to consume some cheddar cheese products over concerns they might be tainted with listeria. The affected goods include Spar cheese and a number of Irish brands.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a safety alert stating that JOD Food Products is recalling these items "because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes". The FSA cautioned that ingesting such contaminated foods can cause illness, with potential complications like meningitis.

Recall notices by the FSA indicate that there are issues with food products that make them unfit for sale. JOD Food Products has said the recalls are being taken as precautionary steps.

The cheeses in question are sold in 150g packs and have best before dates in May 2025. The FSA notice announced: "JOD Food Products is recalling cheese products because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes." The products are also available at Tesco branches in Ireland.

The FSA further explained: "Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.

"However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems."

The FSA advises against eating any of the recalled products and says customers should return them to the point of purchase for a full refund. Customers can direct their inquiries or concerns to JOD Food Products on 00353 6371209.

Tesco Ireland, which also carries selections of Old Irish Creamery items, stated in its alert: "Old Irish Creamery is recalling a specific date code of its Old Irish Creamery Cheese Cheddar with Whiskey 150g and Old Irish Creamery Cheese Cheddar with Porter 150g [May 15, 2025]. This is due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes that, if consumed, may pose a health risk."

The NHS says listeria infection, or listeriosis, although rare, can seriously affect some individuals. Generally spread through contaminated food, listeriosis can result in mild symptoms like a high temperature, muscle aches, chills, feeling sick, and diarrhoea.

Pregnant women may notice stomach ache or decreased baby movement, while affected babies can appear irritable and feed less than usual. While most people are not severely impacted by listeriosis, certain groups are more susceptible to serious complications, including pregnant women, newborn babies, people aged over 65 years, and those with weakened immune systems.

Pregnant women are being warned about the risk of listeriosis, which could potentially lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. The infection can also cause serious and life-threatening conditions such as sepsis or meningitis in babies and those with weakened immune systems.

Full list of affected products

Spar Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Chilli, 150g, use by: May 25, 2025;
Horgans Irish Smoked Cheddar, 150g, use by: May 25, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Red Wine, 150g and 1.2kg, Best before: May 1, 2025, and May 4, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Sriracha, 150g, Best before: May 15, 2025, May 20, 2025, and May 29, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Pepper Cheese, 150g, Best before: May 29, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Sage Cheddar, 150g, Best before: May 20, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Caesar Salad, 150g, Best before: May 20, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Coffee, 150g, Best before: May 20, 2025;
Claddagh Bo Irish Cheddar Cheese with Irish Whiskey, 2.4kg, Best before: July 18, 2025;
Claddagh Bo Irish Cheddar Cheese with Porter Beer, 2.4kg, Best before: June 29, 2025, and July 17, 2025;
Irish Cheddar with Murphy's Stout, 150g and 1.2kg, Best before: May 15, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar Oak Smoked 150g and 1.2kg, Best before: May 15, 2025, and May 25, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Chilli, 1.2kg, Best before: May 15, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Chives, 150g, Best before: May 4, 2025, and May 29, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Cranberries, 150g, Best before: May 29, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Garlic and Herbs, 150g, May 1, 2025, May 4, 2025, May 15, 2025, and May 29, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Irish Porter, 150g, Best before: May 20, 2025, and May 29, 2025;
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Irish Whiskey, 150g and 1.2kg, Best before: May 15, 2025.