A new food recall Ireland alert has been issued for specific batches of Horgans and M&S Food Truffle Gouda, with consumers warned not to eat the affected products. The recall follows the detection of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious illness, particularly in vulnerable groups.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) published the alert on 6 July 2026, identifying affected 150g packs sold through Tesco Ireland and Marks & Spencer. If you recently bought truffle gouda, it is important to check the brand and best-before date as soon as possible.
Food Recall Ireland: Which Truffle Gouda Products Are Affected?
This food recall Ireland notice applies only to specific batches of the following products:
- Horgans Truffle Gouda, 150g, sold in Tesco Ireland
- M&S Food Truffle Gouda, 150g, sold in Marks & Spencer
Affected best-before dates
Consumers should check for these best-before dates:
- Horgans Truffle Gouda: 02/10/2026, 09/10/2026, 24/10/2026
- M&S Food Truffle Gouda: 09/10/2026
The recalled cheese products originate from the Netherlands. No other dates or batches were listed in the alert, but shoppers should still inspect labels carefully to avoid confusion.
Why This Cheese Recall Matters
The reason for this food recall Ireland action is the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a foodborne bacterium that can sometimes lead to mild illness, but it can also become dangerous for certain groups of people.
In otherwise healthy adults, symptoms may include:
- Mild flu-like illness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
However, listeria infection can be far more serious for people at higher risk. According to the FSAI alert, the most vulnerable groups include:
- Pregnant women
- Infants
- Older adults
- People with weakened immune systems
One reason this type of contamination is concerning is that the incubation period can be long. Symptoms typically appear after around three weeks, but the timeframe can range from 3 to 70 days. That delay means some people may not connect illness with a food they ate weeks earlier.
What Consumers in Ireland Should Do Now
If you have one of the affected products at home, the advice under this food recall Ireland notice is clear: do not eat it. Check the pack size, brand, retailer, and best-before date against the recall details.
Steps to take if you bought the recalled cheese
- Locate the product in your fridge or freezer.
- Check whether it is a 150g pack of Horgans Truffle Gouda or M&S Food Truffle Gouda.
- Match the best-before date to the recalled batches.
- Do not consume the cheese if it is affected.
- Return it to the retailer if return guidance is available, or follow store instructions.
Recall notices are being displayed at point-of-sale in Tesco and Marks & Spencer stores, helping customers identify the impacted products. Even if the cheese looks and smells normal, that does not mean it is safe to eat.
Advice for Retailers, Caterers and Food Businesses
This food recall Ireland alert is not just aimed at shoppers. Retailers have been requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices in stores. That action helps reduce the chance of additional purchases and ensures consumers are made aware quickly.
Businesses in the food supply chain should take extra care, including:
- Removing affected stock immediately
- Checking storage and inventory records
- Preventing recalled batches from reaching customers
- Following any supplier or manufacturer instructions
- Informing staff about the recall details
For caterers and wholesalers, prompt traceability checks are especially important if the cheese was supplied onward to other businesses or used in prepared food service settings.
Understanding Listeria and Soft or Specialty Cheese Risks
Cheese recalls involving listeria attract attention because ready-to-eat dairy products can be consumed without any further cooking step that might reduce bacterial contamination. Specialty cheeses, including truffle-flavoured varieties, are often eaten directly in sandwiches, on cheeseboards, or in salads.
That is why a food recall Ireland warning involving cheese should always be taken seriously. People in higher-risk categories should be especially cautious with recalled dairy products and seek medical advice if they develop symptoms after consumption.
When to seek medical advice
Consider contacting a healthcare professional if you have eaten the affected cheese and later experience symptoms such as stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhoea, or flu-like illness. This is particularly important for pregnant women, older adults, infants, and immunocompromised individuals.
While not everyone exposed to listeria will become seriously ill, early awareness matters. Monitoring symptoms and sharing details about the recalled product can help support proper assessment.
Key Recall Details at a Glance
- Products: Horgans Truffle Gouda and M&S Food Truffle Gouda
- Pack size: 150g
- Hazard: Listeria monocytogenes
- Retailers: Tesco Ireland and Marks & Spencer
- Country of origin: Netherlands
- Consumer advice: Do not eat the affected batches
This food recall Ireland update is a reminder to always check official recall notices carefully, especially for chilled ready-to-eat foods. In this case, the takeaway is simple: if you have the affected Horgans or M&S Food Truffle Gouda with the listed best-before dates, do not consume it and follow retailer guidance.
