Kirkham's Lancashire recall update
UPDATE
(9th Feb 2024)
Kirkham's Lancashire is back!
We are delighted to be able to tell you that Kirkham's Lancashire will be back on sale from next Wednesday. Graham will personally select some cheeses for us on Monday and they will be winging their way to us immediately.
You may have heard that Kirkham's cheeses were subject to a precautionary recall at Christmas, but we are so happy to report that absolutely nothing untoward has been found either in their milk or in their cheese. They have worked constructively and tirelessly with all the relevant authorities. They take their responsibility to provide safe food deeply seriously and have been able to demonstrate that their farming and cheesemaking practices are robust and hygienic.
We believe that Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire is a special cheese indeed. Not only because it is delicious, but also because of its place in the history of cheesemaking in this country. It is the very last, raw milk, farmhouse Lancashire cheese made to the traditional two-day curd method. It is a recipe which has been handed down through the Kirkham family and it is Graham’s great wish to be able to pass it on to the next generation.
We hope you will join us in saving this great cheese for future generations to enjoy.
We thought you would like to know the facts regarding the recall of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire that was issued at Christmas.
Mrs Kirkham’s is regularly inspected by Environmental Health and for the past eight years has gone above and beyond this by choosing to be further inspected and audited by SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval).
They have passed all of their inspections.
Their cheese is regularly tested for EColi. Their testing schedule complies with all rules regarding the 0-157 strain and has always met all Food Standards Agency requirements.
The recent outbreak of EColi is from a lesser-known strain of EColi –the STEC 0145 strain. 31 people have been infected by this strain since last August. Eight of them had eaten Kirkham’s cheese, among many other foods, before their infection. Of these eight, seven had eaten a mixed platter, served by a third party, that included other cheese and charcuterie.
Since the outbreak, the Kirkham’s have been visited by a Senior Food Microbiologist from Public Health England and had a full dairy inspection. 60 batches of Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire and 5 milk samples have been tested for EColi 0145. They have all tested negative. The dairy itself has been fully swabbed. Again, all tests have proved negative.
The FSA are still trying to find the cause of the outbreak and are continuing to investigate other possible sources. This may take a long time.
Meanwhile, the Kirkhams are still not able to sell their cheese.
They are doing everything they can to co-operate and work constructively with their Environmental Health Officer and are hoping that they will be able to sell their tested cheese with confidence soon.
We believe that Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire is a special cheese indeed.
Not only because it is delicious, but also because of its place in the history of cheesemaking in this country. It is the very last, raw milk, farmhouse Lancashire cheese made to the traditional two-day curd method. It is a recipe which has been handed down through the Kirkham family and it is Graham’s great wish to be able to pass it on to the next generation.
We hope that when he is able to trade again, you will join us in saving this great cheese for future generations to enjoy.