BALLYMAGUIRE FOODS HAS recommenced food production today, over two weeks after more than 140 of its ready-made meals and side products were taken off shelves due to the possible presence of listeriosis.

Products from the company will return to supermarket shelves from Tuesday.

The Food Safety Authority (FSAI) recalled a large number of food items between late July and August due to the possible presence of harmful bacteria called listeria monocytogenes, which can cause the listeriosis disease.

One person in Ireland died as a result of listeriosis in July, while at least nine people were confirmed to have the infection.

Ballymaguire Foods, the company with the largest number of products impacted, today received approval to recommence production from the National Environmental Health Service of the HSE. 

In a statement released today, Ballymaguire Foods said the approval followed a comprehensive process that the company undertook in close coordination with the HSE’s Environmental Health Officers and the FSAI.

It said: “Official approval to resume production follows the completion of a thorough review into the recent detection of listeria at one of our production sites.”

The company appointed Professor Patrick Wall, a public health expert and former head of the FSAI, to lead their response.

Wall said that listeria is rare and a “naturally occurring, complex, and challenging bacteria”, that requires close attention and strong controls in food environments.

“Managing it is not just about routine hygiene – it requires a deep understanding of how it behaves and an unrelenting attention to detail,” he said.

He said that while listeria infection is rare and primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, even low-probability risks must be managed seriously.

He said that in responding to the incident, Ballymaguire Foods has implemented protocols that ‘go beyond’ best practice. 

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“The actions taken are backed by substantial investment and reflect a renewed focus on precision, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation,” he said.

“The decision to grant approval for production to resume reflects the authorities’ confidence in the steps taken.”

Edward Spellman, co-founder and managing director at Ballymaguire Foods, said: “Our team worked closely with public health authorities and independent experts throughout this review, and I want to acknowledge their support, rigour, and professionalism.”

“Food safety has always been central to who we are. This experience has challenged us to go even further – to enhance our systems, deepen our expertise, and apply new industry-leading standards.

“We acknowledge the concern this situation has caused. We are resolute in our commitment to learn from it and to strengthening the trust placed in us by our partners, customers, and consumers.”