Tesco and Spar urgent 'do not eat' warning as cheese contaminated with deadly listeria

People are being urged not to eat some cheddar cheese products amid fears they could be contaminated with listeria. The affected foods include a Spar cheese along with several other Irish varieties.

Some of the products are also sold in Tesco in Ireland. In a safety notice the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said the manufacturer JOD food Products was recalling the products "because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes".

It warned eating contaminated foods could make someone sick and could even have complications such as meningitis. The FSA issues recalls when problems are spotted with food which means it should not be sold.

JOD Food Products said its product recalls were a precautionary measure. All come in pack sizes of 150g with best before dates in May 2025.

In its notice the FSA said: "JOD Food Products is recalling cheese products because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes." It added: "Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.

"However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis. 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 FSA adds if you have bought one of the affected products do not eat them. Instead, return them to where they were purchased for a full refund. Any customers with queries or concerns can contact JOD Food Products on 00353 6371209.

Tesco Ireland, which stocks some Old Irish Creamery products, said in its warning: "Old Irish Creamery is recalling a specific date code of its Old Irish Creamery Cheese Cheddar with Whiskey 150g and Old Irish Creamery Cheese Cheddar with Porter 150g [May 15, 2025]. This is due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes that, if consumed, may pose a health risk."

According to the NHS, listeria is a rare infection caused by bacteria called listeria. It usually goes away on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It is usually caused by eating food contaminated with listeria bacteria.

Listeria can contaminate a wide range of foods, but most infections are caused by eating chilled, ready-to-eat foods. In most people, listeriosis has no symptoms or only causes mild symptoms for a few days, such as:

• a high temperature
• aches and pains
• chills
• feeling or being sick
• diarrhoea

If you're pregnant, you may also have a stomach ache or notice your baby moving less than usual. Babies with listeriosis may also be irritable and feed less than usual.

Listeriosis is not usually serious for most people. But some people have a higher risk of serious problems, including:

• anyone who is pregnant
• newborn babies
• people with a condition that weakens their immune system, such as cancer, diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease
• people having treatment that weakens their immune system, such as chemotherapy or steroid tablets

Older people are also at higher risk of getting seriously ill from listeriosis. This risk increases with age.

If you get listeriosis while you're pregnant, there is a risk it could cause miscarriage or stillbirth. In babies and people with a weakened immune system, listeriosis can sometimes lead to serious and life-threatening problems such as sepsis or meningitis.

Full list of affected products

Spar Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Chilli

Pack size: 150g

Use by: May 25, 2025

Horgans Irish Smoked Cheddar

Pack size: 150g

Use by: May 25, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Red Wine

Pack size: 150g and 1.2 kg

Best before: May 1, 2025 and May 4, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Sriracha

Pack size: 150g

Best before: May 15, 2025; May 20, 2025; and May 29, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Pepper Cheese

Pack size: 150g

Best before: May 29, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Sage Cheddar

Pack size: 150g

Best before: May 20, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Caesar Salad

Pack size: 150g

Best before: May 20, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Coffee

Pack size: 150g

Best before: May 20, 2025

Claddagh Bo Irish Cheddar Cheese with Irish Whiskey

Pack size: 2.4kg

Best before: July 18, 2025

Claddagh Bo Irish Cheddar Cheese with Porter Beer

Pack size: 2.4kg

Best before: June 29, 2025 and July 17, 2025

Irish Cheddar with Murphy’s Stout

Pack size: 150g and 1.2kg

Best before: May 15, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar Oak Smoked

Pack size: 150g and 1.2kg

Best before: May 15, 2025 and May 25, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Chilli

Pack size: 1.2kg

Best before: May 15, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Chives

Pack size: 150g

Best before: May 4, 2025 and May 29, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Cranberries

Pack size: 150g

Best before: May 29, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Garlic & Herbs

Pack size: 150g

Best before: May 1 2025; May 4, 2025; May 15, 2025; and May 29, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Irish Porter

Pack size: 150g

Best before: May 20, 2025 and May 29, 2025

Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Irish Whiskey

Pack size: 150g and 1.2kg

Best before: May 15, 2025