Mrs Kirkham’s: Cheeses recalled over Christmas E. coli fears

People have been urged to check their Christmas Day cheeseboards and hampers after the food safety watchdog warned about a potential E. coli risk linked to one manufacturer.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) “precautionarily” recalled items produced by Mrs Kirkham’s on Sunday.

The varieties impacted are the company’s Creamy Lancashire, Tasty Lancashire, Mature Lancashire and Smoked Lancashire brands.

Affected customers can claim a refund.

The FSA said as well as being sold off the shelf, the cheeses “may have been provided as part of a hamper you’ve purchased or been gifted”, and have “been sold as part of a charcutier grazing platter”.

“It may not always be clear whether you have purchased an affected product,” the watchdog said.

The company’s website lists Waitrose and Booths as stockists of its products, as well as a number of smaller outlets.

The FSA continued: “The products listed above might be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, (STEC).

“Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.

“However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.”

Customers who have purchased the product should ensure it is fully wrapped and not in contact with other foods, the FSA said.

The agency continued: “Wash your hands, equipment, utensils and surfaces that may have come into contact with the product thoroughly.”

Any product on the recall list can be returned to where it was bought from for a full refund.

Point of sale notices will be displayed where the products were sold explaining why they have been recalled and what to do if they have been purchased.