Preston cheese producer forced to recall four products due to E.Coli fears

Mrs Kirkham’s is based in Mill Lane, Gooosnargh, near Preston Pic: Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd

Four varieties of a popular cheese produced in Preston are being recalled.

The Food Standards Agency says Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd has issued an urgent recall due to its cheese potentially containing E.Coli.

The recall covers Mrs Kirkham’s mild and creamy Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s tasty Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s mature Lancashire and Mrs Kirkham’s smoked Lancashire. The Goosnargh-based cheese-makers have since issued a statement saying the recall is a precaution ahead of further testing in conjunction with the FSA.

All sizes of cheese are covered by the recall and all use by dates of all batches purchased since 1 October 2023. The warning was issued on Sunday (24 December).

The FSA said: “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. 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. If in doubt, consumers are advised to contact the retailer they bought their cheese from to find out if the cheese they have purchased is from the businesses and batches affected and, in the meantime, to not eat the product and ensure it is stored safely, fully wrapped and not in contact with other foods.”

We are warning consumers not to eat Lancashire Cheese products from Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd, as they might be contaminated with E. coli. This is a type of food poisoning and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. https://t.co/56apOUMvaH
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) December 24, 2023

The cheese may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E.Coli (STEC) and this can cause flu-like symptoms and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. In rare cases the infection can become more severe and cause serious complications such as meningitis.

The FSA has issued the following advice to cheese lovers: “If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. Ensure the products is thoroughly wrapped and does 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.”