FSA and FSS update the Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd product recall

Any of the cheeses below which have been put on the market up until, and including, 5th February 2024 should not be eaten and instead returned to the store from where they were bought for a full refund: 

Mrs Kirkham’s Mild & Creamy Lancashire  

Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire  

Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire  

Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire  

No 1 Waitrose & Partners, Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese 

If you have purchased any recalled products before and including 5th February 2024, it is important that you:  

• Ensure the products are thoroughly wrapped and do not come into contact with any other foods if you intend to return to the product to where you purchased it, or otherwise dispose of it at home. 
• Wash your hands, equipment, utensils and surfaces that may have come into contact with the product thoroughly to prevent cross-contamination with other foods and drink.  

Tina Potter, Head of Incidents at the Food Standards Agency said:  

“In potential food safety issues like this, it’s vital action is taken quickly by the business to protect consumers. As a result of extensive efforts carried out by Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire Cheese Ltd and Preston City Council, with support from multiple agencies, Mrs Kirkham’s have now been able to narrow down their product recall notice.     

“We will continue to support the Local Authorities and the business, who are actively working with us as part of our ongoing response to the outbreak. We do continue to urge consumers to check if they have any of these products and ensure they follow the advice and avoid eating any of the cheeses identified in the updated product recall information notice”.   

The business, with support from the local authority, took the original decision to recall and withdraw the five cheeses on a precautionary basis because they may have been contaminated with a specific type of E. coli bacteria called Shiga toxin producing E. coli, also known as STEC or VTEC.  

Amy Douglas, Incident Director for Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety Division at UKHSA, said:    

“Symptoms of STEC include severe diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing it on to family and friends.  

“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.  

“If you are unwell, you should avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to avoid passing on the infection in these settings. Do not return to work or school, until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.” 

The FSA and UKHSA continue to work closely together and with local authorities in response to this. For more details of which batches of cheese may be affected see the Product Recall Information Notice on food.gov.uk.  

Notes to Editors 

• There have been 36 cases of STEC O145 linked to this outbreak, all of whom had symptoms onset before 24 December 2023.