Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) warn of recall of a batch of Deluxe Sriracha Cheddar Cheese Wedge due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes
Alert Summary dated Friday, January 17th, 2025.
Category 1: For Action Alert Notification: 2025.01 Product Identification: Deluxe Sriracha Cheddar Cheese Wedge, pack size: 150g, approval number: IE 1059 EC Batch Code: Best before date: 11/05/25
Message:Lidl Ireland is recalling the above batch of Deluxe Sriracha Cheddar Cheese Wedge, due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores.
Nature Of Danger: 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. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks, but can range between 3 and 70 days.
Action Required by Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch of cheese.
Following a visit on December 11th last, by a Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) inspector, the Panda Chinese Take Away on Main Street in Clogheen, Co. Tipperary was shut down under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. According to the inspector’s report, [View Here], mouse droppings were identified in the food preparation area and in storage rooms. Dirt, grease and food debris was evident on the main kitchen floor; on its walls; on woks: on a microwave and on rice cookers.
Two other Dublin premises, namely Asian Express (Take Away), Unit 2, Kish House, Greendale Road, Raheny, Dublin 5, and Taro Noodle & Sushi Bar (Restaurant/Café), Unit 2, Kish House, Greendale Road, Raheny, Dublin 5, were also served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today stated that 133 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation in 2024, an increase of 45% on the 92 that were served in 2023. The FSAI outlined the importance of robust food safety management systems and stressed that the legal responsibility lies with food businesses to ensure that they appropriately train staff to produce, serve and sell food that is safe to eat, and ensure that their premises are clean and adequately pest proofed.
Between 1st January and 31st December 2024, 115 Closure Orders, 16 Prohibition Orders and 2 Improvement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive, sea-fisheries protection officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and inspectors in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on food businesses throughout the country. A number of recurring food safety issues identified in food businesses resulted in Enforcement Orders being issued, including a lack of pest control procedures; inadequate regular and thorough cleaning; failure to maintain correct temperatures of foodstuffs; unsuitable food storage facilities; and inadequate staff training in relation to food safety and hygiene.
Commenting on the annual figures, Dr Pamela Byrne, (Chief Executive, FSAI,) said that the increase in Enforcement Orders in 2024 was unacceptable. She stated: “It is concerning to see a significant increase in Enforcement Orders in 2024. Consumers have a right to safe food and negligent food practices are inexcusable. The types of reasons cited for Enforcement Orders are simple errors that should not be happening in any food business. Enforcement Orders, especially Closure and Prohibition Orders, are never issued for minor breaches; they are served only when a serious risk to consumer health is identified or when ongoing breaches of food legislation pose significant hygiene or operational issues. Inadequate or absent pest control procedures was a recurring issue throughout 2024 and pest control needs to be addressed by all food businesses this year. Every food business must have robust pest control procedures in place to ensure that pests are not getting into their businesses and putting consumers’ health at risk.”
“While the majority of food businesses comply with the legislation, it is unacceptable to see recurring issues that are entirely avoidable. These fundamental breaches not only pose a potential risk to consumer health, but also undermine consumer trust. Food businesses must take responsibility and ensure compliance with food safety legislation at all times,” added Dr Byrne.
The FSAI also reported that nine Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the month of December 2024 for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive.
Six Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: Cork Rooftop Farm Limited(Retailer), 6-7 Cornmarket Street, Cork Take Away Express, Northgate Street, Athlone, Westmeath K&Q Snacks Limited(Wholesaler/Distributor), 76 Boyne Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11. Murphys Fish and Chips, No.16 John Street, Co. Waterford. Lam’s Asian Cuisine & Eskimo Pizza(Restaurant/Café), Green Street, Callan, Co. Kilkenny. Numidia Café, No.31 Richmond Street South, Dublin 2.
Some of the reasons for the Closure Orders in December include: inadequate pest control measures in place; the presence of fresh rat droppings and decomposed rat carcass; live cockroaches on walls, floors and in a sticky trap; dirty premises, with accumulation of food debris, grease, dirt, and rat faeces; live and dead cockroaches throughout the food storage and preparation areas; ready-to-eat foods incorrectly stored; complete lack of cleaning; disorganisation in the storage of food and non-food-related equipment hindering adequate cleaning and disinfection; no evidence of a food safety management system in place.
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website, made available to be viewed in full here.
Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the FSAI website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.
A total of 174 people lost their lives on roads in the Republic of Ireland in 2024, while 68 people died on Northern Ireland’s roads during this same period. This is according to statistics published by the Road Safety Authority and based on statistics from operational data supplied by An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
This figure of road death victims in the Republic of Ireland is down by 7(4% decrease), from the figure of 181 reported in 2023, according to An Garda Síochána supported data. The counties that recorded the highest number of deaths were Dublin(23), Cork(19), Mayo(19) and Donegal(17); same accounting for 45% of all fatalities last year. In 2023, the highest number of road deaths was in Tipperary(16).
In the Irish Republic these deaths were as a direct result of 160 fatal collisions, and include 39 pedestrians; 71 vehicle drivers; 35 passengers; 4 E-Scooters/passengers, and 17 motorcyclists.
Analysis of the figures further reveal a high proportion of male fatalities, with a year on continued increase of young fatalities amongst those aged 25 years old or less, with a high number of same fatal collisions taking place between the hours of 4:00pm and 8:00pm.
In February of 2025, the default speed limit on rural local roads is expected to be reduced, following the recommendation of the 2023 Speed Limit Review.
Following payment increases, tax changes, new grants etc, announced by the Irish Government back on October 1st last, many new measures will now come into effect within the coming days. Some of these cost-of-living changes will now include:-See full changes HERE.
The national minimum wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour.
The 4% rate of Universal Social Charge (USC) will be reduced to 3%.
A €125 energy credit, to be paid to all households, regardless, from January 1st 2025.
Means test to be disregarded for Fuel Allowance will be extended to those aged 66 years and over – €524 (single person) and €1,048(for a couple).
Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test.
Weekly rates of Child Support Payment will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 years and over, and by €4 to €50 for those aged under 12 years.
A €15 increase in Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit.
Newborn Baby Grant of €280 in addition to the first month of Child Benefit (€140) for children born on or after December 1st 2024.
A €12 increase in most weekly social welfare payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and people obtaining a reduced rate.
An increase by €60 a week in the case of the Working Family Payment; regardless of family size.
A €20 increase per month in Domiciliary Care Allowance.
The amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January 2025
Those in receipt of State Pensions(Non-contributory); Disability Allowances or Blind Pensions; the amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January1st 2025.
Carer’s Benefit to extend to persons who are self-employed.
VAT for installing a heat pump will be now be reduced from the current standard rate of 23% to the reduced rate of 9%.
‘Always Here’ aims to increase awareness of pathways to safety and supports available.
Christmas and New Year is a tough time for some, when reports of domestic abuse can escalate.
Rollout of campaign being led by Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency.
The importance of ‘Always Here’; the awareness raising campaign on pathways to safety and supports available to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is now being highlighted.
The campaign will run over Christmas and into January; a time when reports of domestic abuse in particular can increase, and it encourages victims to reach out for help and to report what has happened or is happening to them.
The central message is that when someone takes that brave step to seek help – from state agencies such as An Garda Síochána and the Court Service or from any of the vital organisations in the community and voluntary sectors that work with victims – that they will be listened to, they will be taken seriously and they will be given the support they need.
New figures from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) show that there has been a 9% increase in the number of contacts to Gardai in relation to domestic violence this year. It is noted that both domestic violence and sexual violence are crimes that had traditionally been under-reported, and that significant work is now being done to increase reporting, including through awareness campaigns.
The “Always Here“ campaign website – alwayshere.ie – has information on national helplines for both men and women subjected to domestic and sexual violence. It has an interactive map where people can find local services in their county.
It also has information on supports for people who are under 18, and for older people and those with disabilities, as well as practical information on how to make a safety plan or what happens in a criminal trial.
“Always Here” is a key action under the Protection Pillar of the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Now in its second year, this campaign is being managed by Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency, established in early 2024.
Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan said: “At this time of year, more than ever, it is important that we make sure that those who need help and support can find it. This is why we in Cuan are proud to be rolling out the Always Here campaign over the holiday season, as well as working with our partners on developing further campaign elements for rollout later in 2025. Behind the “Always Here” message are the people delivering the services that we are signposting – the people answering the phone on the helplines, those who will accompany someone to a sexual assault treatment unit, members of An Garda Síochána latter responding to reports of domestic violence, and many more. I would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of all those who will be supporting victims and survivors of DSGBV during these weeks and beyond. Thank you for always being here.”
The campaign is running across TV, national and local radio, in press, digital and social media, in cinemas and on a major out-of-home campaign on billboards and digital screens throughout Ireland. The campaign also focuses on targeting people in spaces such as in GP waiting rooms, pharmacies, in pubs, on buses or where they do their shopping. It also focuses on people living in Ireland but using media in other languages.
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