GIS warns against Bell Polska smoked pork belly over Listeria, batch 40911
The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) told consumers not to eat batch 40911 of smoked pork belly slices, after Listeria monocytogenes was found in two of five samples. The producer and distributor have begun withdrawing the product from shops.
What the warning covers
The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) published an urgent warning on its website about smoked pork belly slices (Boczek wieprzowy wędzony plastry) made by Bell Polska Sp. z o.o. The affected batch is number 40911, with a use-by date of 6 November 2026. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 2 of 5 samples during tests carried out by the producer. Administrative proceedings in the case are being conducted by the Veterinary Inspection. Distribution is handled by Transgourmet Polska Sp. z o.o., which Radio Zet identifies as the owner of the Selgros network.
Regulatory action
The district veterinary officer in Wieliczka opened proceedings at the plant and carried out an explanatory investigation, according to the GIS notice reproduced by RMF24. The officer supervises the corrective actions taken by the producer and informed the relevant services. The officer also ordered the batch withdrawn from circulation and halted production of the questioned range until results confirming the product's safety are received. Organs of the State Sanitary Inspection are monitoring the withdrawal. The GIS notice explains the health risk in these terms:
The consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may lead to a disease called listeriosis.
Withdrawal from shops
Bell Polska started the procedure to withdraw the batch from the market and is working to identify the source of the contamination. Transgourmet Polska removed the product from store shelves and informed its customers, and Selgros posted a notice about the withdrawal on its website. The withdrawn product will be destroyed as category 2 material. The distributor asked customers to check whether they hold the affected product:
Please do not consume them, withdraw the product from further circulation and contact the Selgros hall to make a return, guaranteeing a cash refund.
Health risk and other lists
Radio Zet reports that the GIS advises consumers not to eat the product. Anyone who ate the bacon and developed symptoms should contact a doctor, and RMF24 notes that gastrointestinal symptoms should prompt contact with a doctor promptly. Pregnant women, newborns, older people and people with weakened immunity are identified as being at particular risk, with RMF24 stating that the infection poses a direct threat to the fetus. Dziennik Łódzki published a separate roundup of recent GIS withdrawals the same day, mentioning products sold at Lidl, Biedronka and Żabka, but its text gives no batch details for those items. The Bell Polska batch is the only product in these reports with a stated batch number, producer and use-by date.
