Sausages recall over meningitis bug scare
A MENINGITIS-CAUSING bug was detected in a batch of sausages, the food safety watchdog has confirmed.
Listeria monocytogenes was found in a batch of ready-to-eat smoked pork bangers produced by Rimantas Meats in Belturbet, Co Cavan.
The public has now been warned not to consume the product and Rimantas has recalled the product as a precautionary measure.
Consumers are being advised to take extra care with their food to avoid contamination.
Listeria infection can cause vomiting, persistent fever and neck stiffness and, in rare cases, can even lead to the deadly brain bug meningitis.
Pregnant women, babies, elderly people and anyone with weakened immune systems are the most vulnerable to the bug. The batch of sausages, with a use-by date of June 7, was mainly sold in outlets in the north-east.
A Food Safety Authority of Ireland warning said: “Listeria monocytogenes was detected in a batch of ready-to-eat smoked pork sausage which was produced by Rimantas Meats.
“As a precautionary measure, all batches of the sausage are being recalled immediately.
“These products were mainly sold at food markets in the North East region.” Businesses which were supplied with the product have been asked to remove them from sale and clearly display a point-of-sale notice informing consumers not to eat them.
According to Safefood, people can help avoid listeria contamination in food by washing all fruit, vegetable and salads before using them.
Consumers are also advised to cook food fully and serve it when it is still very Consumers told to avoid sausages Listeria bug
hot. Experts also urged the public to make sure the fridge is at 5°C or below. Chilled food sould be placed in the fridge straight away and eaten as soon as possible.
You should always throw out food that has passed the use by or the best before date and keep cooked food and raw food away from each other.
Listeria can live in meat, milk, butter, cream, yogurt and vegetables.
Uncooked food that is kept in the fridge can have the bug as well as pre-cooked goods.
Rimantas Meats was yesterday contacted by the Irish Mirror for comment.