Shoppers in Ireland are being urged to check their fridges after a new Truffle Gouda recall Ireland alert was issued for selected cheese batches sold through Tesco Ireland and Marks & Spencer. The affected products have been recalled due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause illness ranging from mild stomach upset to serious infection in vulnerable people.
The food safety alert relates to specific 150g packs of Horgans Truffle Gouda and M&S Food Truffle Gouda originating from the Netherlands. If you recently bought truffle gouda from either retailer, it is important to check the best-before date carefully and avoid eating any impacted batch.
Truffle Gouda recall Ireland: affected products and batch dates
The recall applies only to specific batches, not every pack on shelves. According to the official food alert, the following products are affected:
- Horgans Truffle Gouda, 150g, sold in Tesco Ireland with best-before dates:
- 02/10/2026
- 09/10/2026
- 24/10/2026
- M&S Food Truffle Gouda, 150g, sold in Marks & Spencer with best-before date:
- 09/10/2026
Both recalled cheese products are listed as originating from the Netherlands. Recall notices are being displayed at point-of-sale in the relevant stores to help customers identify the products quickly.
Why this cheese recall matters
The reason for the Truffle Gouda recall Ireland notice is the detection of Listeria monocytogenes. While some food recalls are precautionary, listeria-related recalls are taken especially seriously because the bacterium can survive and grow in chilled foods, including ready-to-eat products such as cheese.
For healthy adults, listeria infection may cause relatively mild symptoms. However, for higher-risk groups, it can become severe and lead to major complications. That is why consumers are being told not to eat the implicated batches, even if the product looks and smells normal.
Common symptoms of listeria infection
Symptoms can vary, but may include:
- Mild flu-like illness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
One important detail about listeria is its incubation period. Symptoms do not always appear immediately. The average time between infection and the first signs of illness is around three weeks, but it can range from 3 to 70 days.
Who is most at risk?
The people considered more vulnerable to listeria infection include:
- Pregnant women
- Infants
- Older adults
- People with weakened immune systems
For these groups, avoiding recalled food products is especially important. Even a small amount of contaminated cheese may pose a significant health risk.
What consumers in Ireland should do now
If you have bought either of the products named in this Truffle Gouda recall Ireland alert, do not eat them. Check the pack size, brand and best-before date against the recall information. If there is a match, the safest course of action is to return the product to the place of purchase or follow the retailer’s recall guidance in store.
Consumers should take these steps:
- Check your fridge for 150g packs of Horgans Truffle Gouda or M&S Food Truffle Gouda.
- Match the best-before date with the affected batches.
- Do not taste the cheese to test whether it is safe.
- Keep vulnerable household members away from the product.
- Return it to the retailer if possible or dispose of it safely.
If you have already eaten the cheese and feel unwell, especially if you are in a higher-risk group, seek medical advice and mention the possible listeria exposure.
Retailer and supply chain action
The official alert classifies this as a Category 1: For Action food safety issue. That means retailers and food businesses are expected to act promptly. Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers and retailers have been instructed to remove the implicated batches from sale.
In practical terms, that includes:
- Withdrawing the affected cheese from shelves
- Displaying recall notices at point-of-sale
- Helping customers identify impacted packs
- Preventing further distribution of the recalled batches
Tesco Ireland and Marks & Spencer shoppers should look for recall signage in store, particularly in the cheese or speciality food sections.
Understanding listeria in ready-to-eat cheese
The Truffle Gouda recall Ireland warning is a reminder that soft and semi-soft cheeses, deli items and other chilled ready-to-eat foods can sometimes be linked to foodborne bacteria. Unlike some pathogens that are destroyed during cooking, ready-to-eat cheese is often consumed without any further heat treatment, which increases the importance of strict hygiene and temperature control throughout production and distribution.
Consumers can reduce risk at home by:
- Storing chilled foods at the correct refrigerator temperature
- Respecting use-by or best-before guidance
- Keeping ready-to-eat foods separate from raw items
- Paying attention to food recall alerts in Ireland
Still, when a product has been specifically recalled for listeria, home storage practices do not make it safe to eat. Disposal or return is the correct response.
Final takeaway on the Truffle Gouda recall Ireland alert
The key message from this Truffle Gouda recall Ireland notice is simple: check any 150g Horgans Truffle Gouda or M&S Food Truffle Gouda in your home and do not eat the affected batches. Because listeria can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, older adults, infants and immunocompromised people, fast action matters. Staying alert to official food recall updates is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your household from avoidable food safety risks.
