An outbreak of E. coli has affected at least 30 individuals in the United Kingdom, prompting an investigation by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The outbreak is believed to be associated with the consumption of raw milk cheese, specifically four products from Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese.
Recalled Products: As a precautionary measure, the following Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese products have been recalled:
All batches purchased since October 2023, regardless of use-by dates, are affected.
Confirmed Cases: There have been at least 30 confirmed cases of E. coli O145 in the UK. UKHSA will release more details in the coming days as the investigation unfolds.
One person has died in a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak in the United Kingdom, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Of 19 people with information available have reported bloody diarrhea, 11 have been hospitalized, and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition mainly affecting the kidneys.
Identifying Affected Cheese: Consumers are urged to check whether they have purchased or received the recalled products, especially as they may have been part of Christmas gift hampers. The cheeses are sold as individual portions, gift sets, or blocks. Consumers are advised to contact the retailer from whom they bought the cheese to determine if it originated from Mrs. Kirkham’s and if the specific batches are affected.
Statement from Mrs. Kirkham’s: Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese released a statement on their website, mentioning that no testing had been conducted on products for the specific E. coli type to confirm contamination. The company is working closely with environmental health officers and the FSA to address the issue. They have temporarily suspended all orders until investigations are completed.
“We are now in a state of limbo until laboratories reopen and resume testing. We will investigate further as soon as they do, together with the FSA. We will suspend all orders until investigations are completed, and we have some answers.”
About E. coli: Symptoms of E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and fever. While most patients recover within five to seven days, some may develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications.
About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication. HUS symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, tiredness, decreased urination, unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor.
People experiencing HUS symptoms should seek emergency medical care, as hospitalization may be necessary. HUS can lead to serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic issues.
Source: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-50-2023-update-2