ANOTHER cheese recall from major supermarkets has sparked further warnings over deadly E. coli fears.
Brits have been issued a fresh alert from the Food Standards Agency over selected items purchased on or prior to February 5 following an investigation sparked in December last year.
Another cheese recall from major supermarkets has sparked further warnings over deadly E. coli fears
Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd has recalled various Lancashire Cheese products
Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese Ltd has recalled various Lancashire Cheese products because they could harbour Shiga-toxin producing E. coli.
It comes after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) told The Sun Online how one person sadly died following an outbreak of the disease at the end of last year.
They are understood to be from Scotland but no further information was released.
At least 30 people aged between seven and 31 have fallen ill so far as investigations into the artisan cheese continue.
It has been warned the affected cheeses include cut-to-order from a deli counter, and prepacked pieces.
The recalled products may have also been within in a Christmas hamper or been sold as part of a charcuterie grazing platter, according to the FSA.
Recalled cheeses:
Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire – all sizes – all dates up to an including February 5, 2024.
Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire – all sizes – all dates up to an including February 5, 2024.
Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire – all sizes – all dates up to an including February 5, 2024.
No 1 Waitrose and Partners, Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese -all sizes – all dates up to an including February 5, 2024 (no long available on Waitrose website).
RISK STATEMENT
An urgent announcement from the FSA read: “The products listed above might be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, (STEC).
“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 can be fatal.”
ADVICE
The FSA urged any customers who have bought these cheeses not to eat them.
It is also advised to keep the products thoroughly wrapped and away from other food.
Wash your hands and anything that comes in contact with the cheese.
Shoppers will also be entitled a full refund.
What are the symptoms of infection?
Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally fever. About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea.
People usually notice symptoms 3 to 4 days after they have been infected but symptoms can start any time between 1 and 14 days afterwards.
These symptoms can last up to 2 weeks.
A small number of people with E. coli O157 infection go on to develop a serious condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).
This can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death, although this is rare.
The risk of HUS is highest in children aged under 5 years.
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.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will help stop infections from spreading.
“Do not return to work or school once term restarts, until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.”
What is E.coli?
Escherichia coli is a type of bacteria common in human and animal intestines.
While most types of E.coli are harmless some can cause serious food poisoning and infection.
E.coli bacteria is a common cause of cystitis – an infection of the bladder.
Some types of E.coli can cause gastrointestinal infections.
As the bacteria can survive outside of the body, its levels serve as a measure of general hygiene and faecal contamination of an environment.
A common mode of infection is by eating food that is contaminated with the bacteria.
How to prevent E. coli spreading at home
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap in running water and dry them completely
Everyone must wash their hands after contact with an infected person
Always wash your hands after going to the toilet or changing babies’ nappies, and before preparing or serving food or eating meals
Avoid cooking or preparing food until 48 hours after your symptoms have cleared up if you’ve been infected
Wash soiled clothing and bed linen separately from other clothes in a washing machine at the highest temperature possible
Wipe down the outside of the washing machine with hot water and detergent after any heavily soiled load
Clean toilet seats, toilet flush handles, basin taps, surfaces and toilet door handles at least daily
Thick household bleach is highly effective – dilute one part bleach to every 10 parts water for soiled surfaces and one part bleach to every 100 parts water for other hard surfaces
Ideally, use heavy-duty domestic rubber gloves and disposable cloths for cleaning
Dispose of cloths by placing them in a plastic bag, sealing the neck and placing in household waste