Food « Thurles Information

About Tipperary Supermarket Butter.

The Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) confirmed today that since last year the prices of some agricultural products such as meat and dairy have risen considerably here in Ireland, compared to prices in the rest of the European Union.
The CCPC had come to that conclusion having undertaken an investigation into the grocery retailer sector and finding that there is no evidence indicating any issues regarding competition among retailers, in terms of food prices.

The CCPC Commission further confirmed that consumers had seen a 27% rise in grocery prices, in the past 4 years, but prices remained well below the average EU increase of 35%.

I wonder did the CCPC observe the difference in butter prices? Let us take a peep.

Let us take a look at what Irish Butter, bearing the IE 1024 EC tag “Made From Irish Grass-Fed Cows”, wrapped in similar gold foil, contains in the table shown hereunder.
Note: “IE 1024 EC” refers to the identification mark used on food products in Ireland (IE) that meet specific European Union (EU) regulations. The no. “1024” is the unique approval number assigned to a particular food establishment in Ireland. “EC” signifies that the product was processed within the European Community.

*Butter Brand & Quantity.*	*Price & Quantity.*	*Energy.*	*Fat/ Saturates.*	Carbohydrates.	*Sugars.*	*Protein.*	*Salt*.
Kilteely. 454g.	€3.99/€4.00.	3034kj/738kcal	81g/51.7g	1.9	0.6g	0.2g	1.5g
Kerrygold. 454g.	€5.49/€5.50.	3059kj/744kcal,	80g/53g	0.6g	0.6g	0.6g	1.8g
Dairy Manor. 454g.	€3.99/€4.00	3034kj/737kcal	81g/51.7g	1.9	0.6g	0.2g	1.62

Question: So what is the difference between one brand and another?
Answer: €1.50 in price and little else. Also notice the healthier product, with less salt, is €1.50 cheaper.

Maybe someone can contact me to explain, what I regard as a massive price anomaly for nothing extra for consumers.

While I am on the subject of prices; coins valued at 1 cent and 2 cent while still remaining legal tender in Ireland, are being phased out of general circulation due to the high cost of minting them.
Since 2015, a “rounding” system for cash transactions has been in place, with total amounts rounded to the nearest 5 cents.
When will we stop our supermarkets pricing goods, like butter as being €3.99, while only accepting €4.00 for such products? This “rounding” as it is called, only applies to cash transactions and does not apply to payments made by card or other electronic methods.

Undeclared Peanut In Terranova Fermented Ashwagandha Food Supplement.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland warn of undeclared peanut in a batch of Terranova Fermented Ashwagandha food supplement.

Alert Summary dated Wednesday, August 6th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A29
Allergen: Peanut
Product Identification: Terranova Fermented Ashwagandha food supplement; pack size: 50 capsules
Batch Code: 2400881; best before date: 05/2028
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom

Message: The above batch of Terranova Fermented Ashwagandha food supplement contains peanut which is not declared on the label.
This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of peanuts, and therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batch.

Another Case Of Listeria monocytogenes In Tom & Ollie Traditional Hummus.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland recall a batch of Tom & Ollie Traditional Hummus, due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Alert SummaryTuesday, 05 August 2025.

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2025.38
Product Identification: Tom & Ollie Traditional Hummus; pack size: 150g
Batch Code: VG189; use by date: 08/08/2025
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom

Message: The above batch of Tom & Ollie Traditional Hummus is being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale. There is currently no evidence that this food recall is linked with the listeriosis outbreak related to ready-to-heat meals or the recall of spinach and mixed leaves products. Please see this News Article.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers & Retailers:
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/Distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batch and provide a point-of-sale recall notice for their customers.
Caterers: Same should not use the implicated batch.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.

Possible Presence Of Listeria monocytogenes In O’Hanlon Herbs Potted Coriander.

Food Safety Authority Of Ireland Recall O’Hanlon Herbs Potted Coriander.

Recall of various brands of O’Hanlon Herbs Potted Coriander due to possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes

Alert Summary dated August 5th, 2025.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.39
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Codes: Please see table below.
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: The below branded potted coriander products are being recalled by O’Hanlon Herbs due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale in affected stores.

Retailer.	Brand.	Product.	Batch.	Display until date.
Aldi.	Egans	Potted Coriander	273, 275, 277,	05/08/2025, 06/08/2025, 07/08/2025, 08/08/2025, 09/08/2025, 10/08/2025, 11/08/2025
Tesco.	Tesco	Growing Herb Coriander	273, 275	03/08/2025, 04/08/2025, 05/08/2025, 06/08/2025, 07/08/2025, 08/08/2025, 09/08/2025
Dunnes Stores.	O’Hanlon Herbs.	Potted Coriander.	273, 275, 277, 283.	03/08/2025, 05/08/2025, 06/08/2025, 07/08/2025, 08/08/2025, 09/08/2025, 10/08/2025
Dunnes Stores.	O’Hanlon Herbs.	Compostable Potted Coriander.	273, 275, 277.	03/08/2025, 05/08/2025, 06/08/2025, 07/08/2025, 08/08/2025, 09/08/2025, 10/08/2025.
Nolans.	O’Hanlon Herbs.	Potted Coriander.	273.	07/08/2025.
Mortons.	O’Hanlon Herbs.	Potted Coriander.	273.	07/08/2025.
Marks & Spencer.	M&S.	Irish Coriander.	273, 275.	06/08/2025, 09/08/2025.
Lidl.	O’Hanlon Herbs.	Potted Coriander.	273, 275, 277.	L3104, L3105, L3106, L3107, L3201.
Supervalu.	Supervalu.	Irish Coriander.	273, 275, 277, 283.	1M0308P1, 1M0408P1, 1M0508P1, 1M0608P1, 1M0708P1, 1M0808P1, 1M0908P1, 1M1008P1.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks, but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers & Retailers:
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

Recall Of Spinach & Mixed Leaves – Detection Of Listeria monocytogenes.

UPDATE (3) to recall of various branded Spinach and Mixed Leaves products produced by McCormack Family Farms, due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes.

Alert Summary dated Saturday, 02 August 2025.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.35 (Update 3)
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: Please see table below.
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: Further to Food Alert 2025.35 and 2025.35 (Update 1) and 2025.35 (Update 2), the below additional batches of Spinach are being recalled due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale in stores.

NOTE: There is currently no evidence that this food recall is linked with the listeriosis outbreak related to ready-to-heat meals that is currently under investigation.
Please see this News Article.

Product Name.	Pack Sizes.	Best Before Dates / Batch Codes.
Egan’s Irish Baby Spinach.	250g.	Best before dates: 30/07/2025, 31/07/2025, 01/08/2025; Batch code: 206.
McCormack Family Farms Lettuce.	200g	Best before dates: 02/08/2025, 03/08//2025, 09/08/2025, 10/08/2025; Batch codes: 205, 212.
McCormack Family Farms Mixed Leaves.	75g.	Best before dates: 26/07/2025, 27/07/2025, 29/07/2025, 31/07/2025, 01/08/2025, 02/08/2025, 03/08/2025; Batch codes: 199, 202, 204, 205, 206, 207
McCormack Family Farms Rocket.	75g.	Best before dates: 31/07/2025, 03/08/2025; Batch codes: 204, 206,
McCormack Family Farms Spinach,	100g, 200g & 250g.	Best before dates: 01/08/2025, 02/08/2025, 03/08/2025, 04/08/2025; Batch codes: 205, 206, 207,
McCormack Family Farms Energise Mix.	100g.	Best before dates: 28/07/2025, 29/07/2025, 30/07/2025, 03/08/2025; Batch codes: 199, 203, 205.
SuperValu Spinach.	250g.	Best before dates: 01/08/2025, 03/08/2025; Batch code: 206.
Tesco Mild Spinach.	350g	Best before date: 02/08/2025; Batch code: 206

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers & Retailers:
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated products from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/Distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated products and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
Caterers: Same should not use the implicated products.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated products.