28 December 2023 , 13:30
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Health chiefs have issued a warning after 30 people became ill after eating contaminated cheese.
Food agencies warned people not to eat four Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese after it was recalled because of contamination with E.coli. The Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland, (FSS) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) alerted the public the cheese may contain Shiga toxin producing E. coli.
WalesOnline reports the alarm was raised about the cheeses last week, however people were given them as presents as part of hampers and a number of fallen ill. The cheeses Mrs Kirkham’s Mild & Creamy Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire and Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire have a serious risk of causing food poisoning.
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 be fatal.
Amy Douglas, incident director for gastrointestinal infections and food safety division at UKHSA, said: “There have been at least 30 confirmed cases of this specific outbreak strain of STEC in the UK. 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 over the festive period.
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Four cheeses are thought to be contaminated with the bacteria“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. Many of us will be travelling for Christmas, but 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 once term restarts, until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.”
The cheeses are sometimes served as part of a hamper, as individual portions or can be purchased as a gift set or block, and official say it may not always be clear whether a person has purchased an affected product. If in doubt, consumers are advised to contact the retailer they bought their cheese from to find out if it is from the businesses and batches affected. In the meantime, do not eat the cheese and ensure it is stored safely, fully wrapped and not in contact with other foods.
If you have purchased any recalled products, it is important that you, do not eat the product, thoroughly clean any surfaces, utensils and equipment the cheese may have touched to prevent cross-contamination of other foods and drink , make sure that fridges are kept at the right temperature - five degrees Celsius (5°C) or below - as this will limit the growth of any harmful bacteria.
Tina Potter, head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency said: “We are aware that this recalled product may be popular over the festive period, especially as it has been sold as part of a Christmas gift hamper and so we are urging consumers to check whether they have bought or been gifted this product.
“We are also asking people to share this advice with friends and family who may have either purchased the recalled product or have received it as a gift.”