FAFA-02-2016 (Update 3) - Errington Cheese Ltd

Ref: FAFA-02-2016             (Update 3)    

To: Heads of Environmental Health Services via Lead Officer (Food Safety)

Please copy to all Local Authority Officers with a possible interest

This FAFA updates FAFA-02-2016 (as previously updated) in respect of:

1. The results of local authority samples; and

2. Action to be taken by local authorities.

Results of samples:

Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) has been detected in batches of Dunsyre Blue (F15) and Lanark Blue (E24) cheese produced by Errington Cheese Ltd.  STEC are known to cause severe illness in humans.  A stx gene negative strain of E. coli O157  has been isolated from three batches (G14, H3 and H24) of Lanark White ewes’ milk cheese.  Stx gene negative strains of E. coli O157 have been isolated from cases of human illness consistent with E. coli O157 infection. The Food Examiner declared these samples of Lanark White cheese to be “potentially injurious to health and/or unfit for human consumption”.

In view of the nature of these results and the range of products affected, the products listed in table 1 below, are regarded as a risk to health.

These products are known to be supplied by Errington Cheese Ltd.  Errington cheeses are known to have been supplied to wholesalers who in turn supply to retail and catering establishments.  These products are mainly provided to specialist cheese shops, delicatessens, hotels and restaurants. 

Action by Local Authorities

Local Authorities are requested to identify food businesses which are likely or known to stock products subject to this FAFA and to take steps to ensure they are withdrawn from sale.  Local authorities should ensure that this withdrawal is effective and that the products to which it applies are not placed on the market, if necessary using powers available to them under the Food Safety Act 1990, the General Food Regulations 2004, and the Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

Products subject to this FAFA 

This FAFA continues to apply to cheese produced by Errington Cheese Ltd and identified as follows:

TABLE 1

These products would have been purchased up until Thursday 15^th September 2016.

Advice to consumers:

If you have bought this product, do not consume it.