Tejal Somvanshi
JOD Food Products is recalling 18 types of Irish cheese that might make people sick. These cheeses are sold at Tesco and Spar stores. The recall includes popular flavors like chili cheddar, smoked cheese, and special varieties made with wine and whiskey.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) found these cheeses might contain harmful bacteria called Listeria. Think of Listeria like an unwanted guest that can survive in your fridge – this makes it particularly dangerous in foods like cheese. When someone eats food with Listeria, they might get symptoms similar to flu, including high temperature, muscle aches, chills, feeling sick, and diarrhea.
The FSA notice states: “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 warning makes sense – most of us keep cheese for weeks or months in our fridges, giving Listeria more time to grow.
The recall covers both small packages (150g) and larger sizes (up to 2.4kg). All affected cheeses have best-before dates between May 2025 and July 2025. This long shelf life means many people might still have these cheeses at home.
What should you do? Check your fridge for these Irish cheeses. If you find any, the FSA advises returning them to the store where purchased for a full refund – no receipt required.
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Some key cheeses to look for:
- Spar Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Chilli
- Irish Cheddar with Red Wine
- Smoked Cheddar varieties
- Any Irish cheddar with stout, whiskey, or porter
If you’ve eaten these cheeses and feel sick, particularly if you’re pregnant or over 65, the NHS advises seeking medical attention. JOD Food Products has set up a help line (00353 6371209) for any questions about the recall.
For pregnant women, this recall is particularly important. The NHS confirms that Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. While these infections are rare, they can be severe when they happen.
This recall shows how our food safety system works to catch problems before they become bigger issues. Think of it like a safety net – catching potential problems before people get sick. The FSA keeps watching and will tell us if anything changes.
Keep in mind that if you found any recalled cheese in your fridge, it’s smart to clean any surfaces or containers that touched the cheese. This helps keep your kitchen safe.
Stay informed about this recall by checking the FSA website. The FSA notes that recall notices should be visible in stores where these products were sold.
