One Brit has died in an E. coli outbreak linked to artisan cheese.
At least thirty people had been sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to the Kirkham family dairy.
Safety chiefs have urged the public not to eat the varieties of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese, made using raw cow’s milk, sold in Waitrose.
The manufacturer, based in a village just outside Preston, has since recalled all of its products as a precaution.
Some might also have been gifted unknowingly in festive hampers, officials say.
Four varieties of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese have been urgently recalled and slapped with a ‘do not eat’ alert over contamination fears. Pictured: A generic shot taken from the Lancashire-based cheesemaker’s website
Symptoms vary from mild to bloody diarrhoea, the UK Health Security Agency says. Vomiting, fever and stomach cramps are other tell-tale signs. But, in severe cases, the bug can cause haemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening condition that can lead to kidney failure
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reportedly working with the (FSA) to identify what led to the Shiga-toxin producing E.coli (STEC) O145 outbreak since July. Investigations are ongoing.
Health officials did not provide the ages of the patient who died, nor of those hospitalised, but said the range of affected persons was from ‘seven to 81’.
STEC, or shiga toxin-producing E. coli, is spread by eating contaminated foods, such as raw leafy vegetables or undercooked meat.
The very infectious bacteria can also be spread by touching infected animals or their faeces and coming into contact with other people who are sick.
Waitrose & Partners No 1 Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese sold in 200g packs is being recalled over fears it could case food poisoning following the E. coli outbreak. This comes after four varieties of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese were urgently recalled and slapped with a ‘do not eat’ alert over contamination fears
UKHSA chiefs said people should take extra care to both avoid infection, and if hit by the bug, passing it on to others.
Amy Douglas, UKHSA’s incident director for gastrointestinal infections and food safety, said: ‘There have been at least 30 confirmed cases of this specific outbreak strain of STEC in the UK.
‘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.’
To date, five varieties of Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese in total have been urgently recalled and slapped with a ‘do not eat’ alert over contamination fears.
These include Mrs Kirkham’s Mild and Creamy Lancashire, Tasty Lancashire, Mature Lancashire and Smoked Lancashire varieties.
The fifth came yesterday after Waitrose recalled its artisan No.1 Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire product.
The FSA first issued a ‘precautionary’ recall alert of the four Mrs Kirkham products on Christmas Eve.
At the time, the FSA said further recalls of other products might be issued as investigations continue.
Mrs Kirkham’s said: ‘We are working very closely with our local Environmental Health Officers and the FSA to fully understand the situation, and whether our products have been correctly implicated.
‘This recall relates to new testing techniques designed to better identify potentially dangerous strains of Shiga Toxin producing E. coli.
‘Unfortunately, these new testing techniques are not currently industry standard.’
The statement also said that due to many laboratories currently being closed over the festive period the business had been left in ‘limbo’.
‘We will be suspending all orders until investigations are completed and we have some answers.’