More than a dozen cheeses have been urgently recalled from supermarket shelves over fears they could also be contaminated with potentially deadly listeria bacteria.

Food safety watchdogs have stuck a 'do not eat' alert out for 18 Irish cheeses produced by JOD Food Products — some of which are stocked in supermarkets including Tesco and Spar. 

It is feared the cheeses sold in Ireland have been contaminated and 'may contain' the bacteria.

The nasty bug — which can kill — usually causes a fever, sickness and diarrhoea.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which published the alert, issues recalls when problems are spotted with food that means it should not be sold. 

JOD Food Products said its product recalls were a precautionary measure. 

Among the 18 affected cheese include Spar Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Chilli, Horgans Irish Smoked Cheddar and Old Irish Creamery Cheese Pepper Cheese. 

All have pack sizes of 150g and best before dates in May 2025.  

The manufacturer said: 'Please return the affected products to store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required. 

'There is a risk that the product may contain Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that is potentially harmful if consumed.'

The FSA also said: 'Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product. 

'These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.'

Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium listeria monocytogenes. 

It poses a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies.

For most people, listeria poisoning can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills and feeling or being sick.

Usually symptoms recede after a few days.

However, in rarer cases the infection can be more severe, causing life-threatening complications, such as meningitis.

Many foods can harbour listeria, but it is usually found in unpasteurised milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, such as prepacked sandwiches.

Listeria is widespread in the environment and can be found in raw food and soil, and in the droppings of many mammals, birds, and fish.

According to the latest available data, a total of 177 cases of listeriosis were reported in England and Wales in 2023. 

Some 32 deaths were recorded, of which 11 had listeriosis recorded as a cause of death on the death certificate.

Seven outbreaks in total were investigated including national outbreaks associated with smoked fish, semi-soft cheese and beef products. 

Meanwhile in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that around 1,600 people get listeriosis each year.