Shoppers have been advised that the incubation period between initial infection and symptoms appearing is around three weeks
35 Pettitt’s Kitchen products are being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes(Image: Getty)
An urgent warning was issued to Irish shoppers this week as a range of popular ready-meal products were recalled by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland over bacteria that can cause serious health complications for some people.
On Wednesday, the food safety watchdog issued the recall notice for specific batches of ready-meals which are available at a number of Pettitt’s SuperValu stores across Wexford, Wicklow and Kildare.
The popular products are being pulled from shelves due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause serious health complications for some people.
Manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers are being asked to remove the products from sale and consumers are being asked not to eat them and to dispose of them immediately.
Pettitt’s SuperValu operate a total of six supermarkets across Leinster – Wexford town, Gorey, Enniscorthy, Arklow, Athy and Bray(Image: Artur Widak/NurPhoto)
The large number of products recalled include chicken, soups, rice, chips, stuffing and more. A full list of food products by Pettitt’s Kitchen that have been recalled can be found below.
Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Chipper Chips, 400g, use by date 18/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Cottage Pie, 500g, use by date 18/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Cottage Pie, 1050g, use by date 18/06/26Taste of Asia Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Egg Fried Rice, 600g, use by date 16/06/26 Suitable for homeTaste of Asia Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Butter Chicken, 900g, use by date 18/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Southern Fried Goujons, 400g, use by date 19/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Roast Beef Dinner, 450g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Honey Glazed Bacon Dinner, 500g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Roast Chicken Dinner, 500g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Creamy Mash Potato, 400g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Creamy Mash Potato, 800g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Carrot & Parsnip Mash, 400g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Carrot & Parsnip Mash, 800g, use by date, 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Herb Stuffing, 200g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Herb Stuffing, 400g, use by date 17/06/26High Protein Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Burger Meal, 520g, use by date 17/06/26High Protein Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Paella Rice, 450g, use by date 17/06/26High Protein Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Peppercorn Chicken, 520g, use by date 17/06/26High Protein Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Chicken Tomato & Basil Penne, 500g, use by date 17/06/26High Protein Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Cajun Chicken Pasta, 550g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Fish Pie, 450g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Fish Pie, 900g, use by date 17/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Hake Goujons, 400g, use by date 18/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Beef Bourguignon, 450g, use by date 20/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Beef Bourguignon, 900g, use by date 20/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Beef Bourguignon & Mash Potato, 550g, use by 18/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Irish Beef Stew & Mash Potato, 550g, use by date 18/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Chilli Con Carne & Basmati Rice, 470g, use by date 18/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Chicken, Bacon & Mushrooms Vol-AuVents, 250g, use by date 18/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Macaroni Cheese, 450g, use by date 18/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Wexford Battered Rissoles, 400g, use by date 20/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Sweet Potato, Chilli & Coconut Soup, 500ml, use by date 20/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Tomato, Pepper & Basil Soup, 500ml, use by date 20/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Vegetable Soup, 500ml, use by date 19/06/26Traditional Our Chef’s Kitchen Pettitt’s Chicken & Vegetable Soup, 500ml, use by date 20/06/26What is listeriosis?
Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is usually acquired by eating food contaminated with this bacterium.
Listeria can contaminate a wide range of foods, but most infections are caused by eating chilled, ready-to-eat foods. Some foods are more likely to be tainted by the bacteria than others. These include soft cheeses, deli meats and dairy products that haven’t been treated to kill bacteria, called pasteurised.
Listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing, so people at higher risk of serious infections and advised to be mindful of what they eat and to stay away from foods that are more likely to contain listeria bacteria.
Who is at greater risk for listeriosis?
Anyone can become ill from eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Certain populations are at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness, including pregnant women and their unborn children, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Healthy people rarely become very ill from listeria infection. But the disease can be fatal to unborn babies, newborns and people with weakened immune systems.
A computer illustration of listeria monocytogenes bacterium(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Libra)
What are the symptoms of listeriosis?
Infection in a healthy adult is usually without symptoms or causes a mild flu like illness. Other symptoms of listeriosis can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In rare cases of more severe illness, Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can invade the blood stream (blood stream infection). The bacteria can also spread from the blood to the central nervous system causing meningitis.
Infected pregnant women may have no symptoms or experience only a mild flu-like illness. However, infection during pregnancy can spread to the infant resulting in very serious infection of the infant. This can lead to miscarriage or early delivery of a very sick baby.
In immunocompromised and elderly individuals the infection can occasionally spread to the central nervous system causing meningitis and/or septicaemia, with symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance or convulsions.
Symptoms of a listeria infection can also partly depend on where in the body that the infection happens. If it affects the gut, you might have:
DiarrheaUpset stomachVomiting
These symptoms often start within a day of eating tainted food and they tend to go away within a few days
he germs that cause a listeria infection also can spread through the blood and into the brain and spinal cord. If this happens, you might have:
Fever and chillsFlu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and fatigueDiarrhea or an upset stomachHeadacheStiff neckConfusion or changes in alertnessLoss of balanceSeizures
The disease can turn deadly if the bacteria get into the central nervous system or bloodstream(Image: GETTY)
How long does it take for symptoms of listeriosis to appear after eating contaminated food?
It usually takes about three weeks for symptoms to appear, but it can happen as soon as three days or up to 70 days after infection.
What should I do if I have one of the recalled foods in my fridge or freezer?
You should not eat any of the recalled foods. You should dispose of them, or return them to the store where purchased, as directed by the retailer. To avoid cross contamination in the home, unopened packs should not be opened.
Can I get a refund for a food that has been recalled?
Contact the retailer where the food was purchased for information on refunds.
Where can I get additional information and advice?
You can find further information on listeriosis and its symptoms on the HPSC website.
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