Major supermarket Waitrose is the latest to recall a popular product. No 1 Waitrose and Partners, Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese, one of five cheeses that could pose a real risk to consumers if eaten.
These products have been pulled off shelves due to possible contamination with E. coli. NHS Inform said: "Escherichia coli O157, sometimes called VTEC, is a bacterial infection. It can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure." The Food Standards Agency (FSA) shared that this can be "fatal".
The FSA said: "Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd has updated the precautionary recall of various Lancashire Cheese products because the products might contain Shiga-toxin producing E. coli.
"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 February 5.
"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. If in doubt, you are advised to not eat the product and ensure it is stored safely, fully wrapped and not in contact with other foods if returning the product to the place it was purchased or dispose of it at home."
The FSA issued a risk statement regarding the recall. It stated: "The products listed above might be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, (STEC).
"Symptoms caused by STEC organisms include severe diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), abdominal pain, and sometimes haemolytic uremic syndrome, (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal."
No 1 Waitrose and Partners, Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese
Pack size: All sizes
Use by: All dates up to and including February 5, 2024
Mrs Kirkham’s Mild & Creamy Lancashire
Pack size: All sizes
Use by: All dates up to and including February 5, 2024
Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire
Pack size: All sizes
Use by: All dates up to and including February 5, 2024
Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire
Pack size: All sizes
Use by: All dates up to and including February 5, 2024
Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire
Pack size: All sizes
Use by: All dates up to and including February 5, 2024
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The FSA advised: "If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund or dispose of them at home.
"Ensure the products are thoroughly wrapped and do not come into contact with any other foods.
"Wash your hands, equipment, utensils and surfaces that may have come into contact with the product thoroughly."
The Government body explained that a food product is withdrawn (taken off the shelves) or recalled (when customers are asked to return the product) if there is a problem with it that means it should not be sold.
The FSA said: "The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
"In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers."
This latest announcement was the third of three recalls concerning the cheeses. Update three replaces updates one and two and has been brought up to date to refine the batches of recalled products implicated.
This comes as Tesco recalled a popular snack over fears it could contain plastic, causing a "choking hazard".
