The picturesque village of Goosnargh in Lancashire has become the unexpected epicentre of a major E.coli outbreak that has claimed one life and left 11 people hospitalized. Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese, a traditional family-run dairy farm established in 1978, is at the heart of the crisis. This artisan cheese producer supplies renowned retailers such as Waitrose, Neal’s Yard Dairy, and Booths.
The farm’s journey began when Ruth and John Kirkham founded it, later handing over the reins to their son, Graham Kirkham. Unlike most cheesemakers in Lancashire, this family-run business uses raw milk from their 100 Holstein Friesian cows, bypassing the pasteurization process.
Unfortunately, the farm has been identified as the source of an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) that has affected at least 30 individuals across the country, including children as young as seven. In response to the outbreak, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a recall for four of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese products: mild and creamy Lancashire, tasty Lancashire, mature Lancashire, and smoked Lancashire.
Retailers like Booths, Neal’s Yard Dairy, and Waitrose, known as the ‘northern Waitrose,’ have also recalled all cheeses from Mrs Kirkham’s farm. Additionally, all sizes of No 1 Waitrose and Partners Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese with use-by dates between October 30, 2023, and January 16, 2024, have been withdrawn from sale.
Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese, known for its crumbly yet creamy texture and bright, full flavour, has a loyal local following. Scores of customers have expressed their intent to continue supporting the company once the current troubles are resolved.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed that the E.coli outbreak victims range from a seven-year-old child to an 81-year-old individual, all testing positive for the specific E.coli strain 0145. This strain is considered more severe than standard ones. It can lead to life-threatening conditions such as haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), particularly affecting children under five and other vulnerable groups.
Authorities are still investigating the outbreak to identify potential additional sources of contamination. STEC is commonly spread through the consumption of contaminated foods, including undercooked meat and raw vegetables, as well as contact with infected animals or their faeces.
In light of the outbreak, the public has been urged to avoid consuming the four varieties of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese made from raw cow’s milk, which is the last remaining raw milk Lancashire cheesemaker in the world. The FSA issued a precautionary recall alert on Christmas Eve for the four affected products, cautioning that further recalls might follow as investigations continue.
The FSA, UKHSA, Public Health Scotland (PHS), and Food Standards Scotland are collaborating with partner agencies to investigate the outbreak. Notably, a death associated with E.coli O145 was reported in Scotland, although the victim’s age was not disclosed.
This E. coli outbreak in artisan cheese has raised concerns about food safety and recalls. Food businesses must adhere to strict hygiene and safety regulations to ensure the quality and safety of their products, especially when using raw milk in cheese production. The investigation is ongoing to identify the root cause of the outbreak and prevent similar incidents in the future
