Ballymaguire Foods is deeply aware that people have been impacted by consuming its freshly prepared meals. We acknowledge the concern and anxiety that this has caused and we are treating it with the utmost seriousness.
Since our foundation in 2008, protecting our customers has been, and remains, our highest priority. We recognise the trust placed in us by consumers and are committed to doing everything necessary to responsibly and transparently address this, in full collaboration with the public health authorities.
Our priority has been a swift, responsible, health-led response and remains so. As a precautionary measure, all products have been withdrawn. Clear consumer information is being provided through our retail partners. We have suspended all production and have taken corrective actions, including a full pharmaceutical-grade clean-down of the site.
To further strengthen our response, we have appointed Dr. Patrick Wall—former Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, former Chairperson of the European Food Safety Authority, and former Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin—to lead our dedicated and experienced response team. The team has a singular focus: to fully and effectively resolve this matter. It is doing so in close collaboration with the relevant public health authorities. Production at the affected facility will only recommence once the relevant authorities are satisfied.
Dr. Wall and the team are overseeing all aspects of the review, including implementation of any necessary enhanced procedures. Its remit also includes evaluating experiences with similar incidents and identifying and replicating best practices from other jurisdictions to inform and strengthen our long-term approach to food safety.
We understand the public has questions and we are continuing to address these openly and responsibly. Where appropriate, we are referring queries to the relevant authorities. We recognise the vital role of the FSAI as the primary body in addressing public queries and its guidance to consumers on food safety and best practice. The FSAI continues to advise the public that anyone with queries should contact it on info@fsai.ie.
We sincerely apologise for the concern this may cause. As we have stated, incidents of this nature are exceptionally rare and we are treating this with the utmost seriousness. We are acting decisively and transparently to protect public health which is of paramount importance to us.
ENDS
Company