A row has broken out over claims by public health authorities that a recent E.coli outbreak was linked to the use of unpasteurised milk.
The owner of a Scottish cheese company whose products were linked by Health Protection Scotland and Food Standards Scotland to a recent outbreak of E.coli food poisoning has protested that the accusation threatens not just his own business, but all artisan cheese makers using unpasteurised milk.
Errington Cheese, owned by Humphrey Errington, produced the Dunsyre Blue cheese consumed by several of the 16 patients in the most recent E.coli outbreak. Errington Cheese recalled its products after a possible link was identified.
However, Mr Errington now says that the company's investigations have cleared his products. He told the online news site Foodmanufacture that the HPS / FSS position 'was based on a malicious prejudice against raw milk cheese', which threatened the reputation of Britain's artisan cheese industry, 'one of the greatest success stories of recent years'.
Nevertheless, HPS stands by its conclusions. It said that based on detailed information, Dunsyre Blue remained the most likely source of the outbreak.
Read the full story here. Find out more about Sustain's campaigning work for a healthier, fairer food system here.
Published Saturday 20 August 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
