E.coli row cheese seized for new test

CHEESE at the centre of the E.coli outbreak row has been seized by the authorities.

All products made by Errington Cheese were ‘detained’ by South Lanarkshire Council when environmental health officers swooped on its farm near Lanark on Friday.

Last week, the Mail reported that the family business had informed the local authority it would defy the ‘cheese police’ today and return two of its products to the market.

This latest twist has ended plans to resume selling the award-winning Lanark Blue and white Corra Linn, both made from unpasteurised milk.

Council executive director of community and enterprise resources Michael McGlynn said discussions are still taking place between the council and Errington Cheese.

He added: ‘We have made clear to Errington Cheese what steps need to be taken before these cheeses can be put on the market, including tests so we are satisfied it is safe to do so.

‘However, given that Errington Cheese has indicated it intends to continue with its plan to sell these cheeses before we know the results of those tests, environmental health officers have had no choice other than to detain those cheeses to prevent them being put on the market.’

Mr McGlynn said the ‘sole purpose’ of detaining the cheese was to guarantee public safety.

Restrictions were enforced on all cheese made by Errington Cheese in September following an E.coli outbreak in which 26 people fell ill and a three-year-old girl died.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) linked the food poisoning to Dunsyre Blue, which had been voluntarily recalled two months earlier.

Founder Humphrey Errington has always insisted his cheese is safe to eat and said the watchdog has failed to produce evidence to the contrary.

He added: ‘If the tests are cleared, they are obliged to release it to us for sale. In a way it is progress.’

FSS said all cheeses produced by Errington Cheese and covered by a Food Alert For Action notice should not be sold or eaten.