Blue cheese linked to E.coli ‘is in the clear’
Independent tests show food is safe, says its creator
BLUE cheese linked to an outbreak of E.coli has been cleared by independent laboratory tests, its producer said last night.
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) disclosed last week that 16 people have contracted the potentially deadly O157 strain of the bug, two of whom have been admitted to hospital.
It said a number of people affected had eaten Dunsyre Blue, a cheese made from unpasteurised milk by a company championed by Prince Charles, and urged anyone who had bought it to return or destroy it.
But producer Humphrey Errington, who owns Errington Cheese, based in Carnwath, Lanarkshire, said independent tests have found no trace of the lethal E.coli strain in his cheese.
He added: ‘That’s the last of our tests in. It looks as though, as far as we are concerned, there is no O157 anywhere and that’s our entire production tested.
‘We took every single batch from the last three months. There is no sign of it anywhere.’
Mr Errington said the expert at the independent and accredited laboratory in Peebles, who carried out the tests, reported being 99.9 per cent sure the cheese was safe, and will carry out more tests today, adding: The Government’s tests have all proved negative too.’
Mr Errington said that since his product had been linked to the outbreak his business had suffered massive losses and the reputation of the firm had been damaged.
He added: ‘I’m not bothered about apologies, what I want is an acknowledgement that they got it wrong. Their evidence boiled down to seven, of the 16, might have eaten Dunsyre Blue when they were in a restaurant. Our cheese is available in, I think, half of the restaurants in Scotland.
‘Why they thought there was a case against us when nine people didn’t touch it, I just don’t know.’
Despite the results, HPS last night continued to link the cheese to the outbreak. A spokesman said: ‘Health Protection Scotland is continuing its work with Food Standards Scotland, NHS boards and council environmental health teams to investigate and manage the outbreak of E.coli O157, which may be associated with eating unpasteurised blue cheese.’
On Friday, Dr Syed Ahmed, clinical director at HPS, explained the symptoms associated with E.coli O157 can include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.
Dr Ahmed said: ‘Members of the public who purchased Dunsyre Blue between May 18 and July 29 should return it or dispose of it.
‘Anyone developing symptoms, or who is concerned about their symptoms, should contact their GP or phone NHS 24.’
Dr Ahmed also urged those who may have been in contact with the product to maintain good hand and food hygiene to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
It is not the first time Errington Cheese has been linked to a food scare. The firm previously beat an attempt by the local council to destroy one ton of the blue cheese because it carried the food germ listeria.
That ended up costing taxpayers £291,485, with a further £25,000 paid by insurers in compensation.