Fifth Christmas hamper cheese urgently recalled as it may be contaminated with ‘dangerous’ E. coli bacteria
FOLLOWING the urgent recall of four cheeses linked to an E. coli outbreak, Brits have been warned about a fifth product now being pulled from shelves.
Health officials issued ‘do not eat warnings’ over a variety of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheeses, sold individually or mixed into Christmas gift hampers.
The alarm was raised over four products on Christmas Eve, when it emerged the artisan dairy might be contaminated with a specific type of E.coli bacteria called Shiga toxin producing E. coli.
Also known as STEC, this pathogen can cause food poisoning, triggering nasty symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, vomiting and tummy pain.
In some cases, the bacterial strain can cause haemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and may be fatal.
Amy Douglas, incident director for Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety Division at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said at least 30 people in the UK had fallen ill with this specific strain of STEC.
The four cheeses suspected of bacterial contamination are:
- Mrs Kirkham’s Mild & Creamy Lancashire
- Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire
- Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire
- Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire
Now a fifth product has been recalled, with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warning Brits not to eat the cheese under any circumstances and to return it for a full refund.
The cheese added to the recall list was the No 1 Waitrose and Partners Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese.
All sizes of the product are being pulled from shop shelves and in it’s most recent update, the FSA told Brits to check if their Mrs Kirkham’s Waitrose cheese has any of the following ‘use by’ dates:
- 30 October 2023
- 02 November 2023
- 07 November 2023
- 10 November 2023
- 20 November 2023
- 28 November 2023
- 04 December 2023
- 11 December 2023
- 13 December 2023
- 20 December 2023
- 23 December 2023
- 02 January 2024
- 09 January 2024
- 16 January 2024
As well as Waitrose, the affected cheeses were previously sold popular supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
But the FSA warned Brits that might also have received the contaminated products as part of a Christmas gift.
“The cheeses are sometimes sold as a full block or served as individual portions, it may have been provided as part of a hamper you’ve purchased or been gifted,” it said.
“In some cases it’s been sold as part of a charcutier grazing platter.
“It may not always be clear whether you have purchased an affected product.”
It advised people in doubt to contact the retailer they bought their cheese from to find out if they have any of the affected batches in their home.
Tina Potter, the FSA’s head of incidents said it’s important to check the dairy is thoroughly wrapped and hasn’t come into contact with any other foods, as these also might be contaminated with the bacteria.
If you have one of the five cheeses in your home, wash your hands and any equipment, utensils and surfaces that may have come into contact them thoroughly.
“We are also asking people to share this advice with friends and family who may have either purchased the recalled product or have received it as a gift,” Ms Potter added.
What are the symptoms of an E. coli infection?
According to Ms Douglas: “Symptoms of STEC include severe diarrhoea – including bloody diarrhoea – stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.”
You can get an STEC infection from eating contaminated food or water.
However, it’s also possible for you to get it through “close contact with an infected person”, the FSA and UKHSA warned in a joint alert.
If you have the infection, it’s possible for you to spread it to other people living in the same household, they said.
It’s also not uncommon for it to be passed on in settings such as nurseries, the agencies added.
Ms Douglas advised: “If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing it on to family and friends over the festive period.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will help stop infections from spreading.
“Don’t prepare food for others if you have symptoms or for 48 hours after symptoms stop.”
She also suggested you wait to return to work or school at least 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped, and avoid care homes and hospitals.