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Shoppers have been warned there are now five artisan cheeses that could contain the deadly E. coli bacteria.
Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd recalled four of its products in December after fears an E. coli outbreak was linked to the artisan cheese.
It’s believed at least 30 people across the UK contracted the illness as a result of the outbreak and one person, from Scotland, died.
The firm has now pulled a sixth product from the shelves – ‘No 1 Waitrose and Partners Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese’.
On its recall notice, however, it said testing had found ‘no evidence’, the outbreak was linked to its cheeses and the recall was a ‘precautionary’ measure.
The original four products, which are still part of the recall list, are: Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire.
This recall applies to all five products in all sizes, with a use by date up to and including February 5, 2024.
The Food Standard Agency (FSA), which shared the recall notice on its website, said: ‘The implicated cheeses may be in several retail formats, including cut-to-order and wrapped in plain waxed paper from a deli counter, prepacked pieces of cheese purchased or gifted to you that was purchased on or prior to the 5th of February.
‘The recalled products may have been included in a hamper or been sold as part of a charcuterie grazing platter. It may not always be clear whether you have purchased an affected product.’
What is E. coli?
E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is commonly found in the intestines of animals.
While most strains of the bacteria are harmless, it’s the main culprit behind many food-borne illnesses such as food poisoning.
As the animal product goes from the farm to the dinner table, infections can begin when someone ingests food contaminated with faeces or gets in direct contact with an infected animal.
Symptoms usually start three to four days after swallowing the bacteria, which then makes a home in people’s intestines.
That’s partly why a lot of the symptoms involve some form of gastrointestinal distress: think cramps, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea and general flu-like aches and pains.
Most people bounce back within a week, but more serious complications, such as kidney failure and amenia, can occur up to two weeks after digesting the bacteria.
Previous outbreaks have been linked to packaged salad.
Behind many of these symptoms are what are called Shiga toxins, a potent poison produced by E. coli strains such as the one spreading about at the moment.
Some people may end up in hospital, the NHS says, especially more vulnerable people like the very young, the elderly and pregnant people.
The FSA warned anyone that suspects they have one of the recalled cheeses to not eat it.
They can be returned to the shop where they were bought for a full refund but, the FSA said, make sure it’s well wrapped and doesn’t come into contact with other food.
You should also wash your hands if you’ve touched the cheese, it added.
The Metro has contacted Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese for comment.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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