Four types of cheese have been recalled due to possible E. Coli – with warnings they could have been gifted in Christmas hampers.
Mrs Kirkham’s Mild and Creamy Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire and Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire have all been recalled as a “precaution”.
The cheeses might be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, (STEC).
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) symptoms of STEC can sometimes include a condition known as haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – which can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.
Other symptoms are severe diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), abdominal pain.
In rare cases the infection can also cause complications, such as meningitis.
The (FSA) announced the recall on Christmas Eve. All sizes of the cheeses are affected, including individual portions that may have been included on grazing platters, it said.
“It may not always be clear whether you have purchased an affected product,” the agency warned.
If in doubt, people are advised to contact the shop where they bought the cheese to find out, and in the meantime to not eat the cheese.
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The FSA said: “Ensure the product 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.”
The affected cheeses can be returned to the shop for a full refund.
The recall applies to all size packs of the four cheeses bought since 1 October 2023.
