Fake goats' cheese found in supermarkets after milk shortage

A consumer group has found fake goats’ cheese in supermarkets following a shortage of the milk.

Which? investigated samples from around the UK after becoming “concerned” that a shortage of milk from the animal had not affected the amount of cheese on shop shelves.

The watchdog enlisted the help of Professor Chris Elliott, who authored the Government’s independent review into food crime following the horse meat scandal, to test 76 goats’ cheese samples from supermarkets, delis and markets sold at eight UK locations.

Professor Elliott’s team at Queen’s University Belfast found that in six cases, half or more of the product was sheep’s cheese.

Three of these contained more than 80% sheep’s cheese, three contained more than 50%, while three other cheeses contained smaller amounts - around 5%.

Which? said: “These results reinforce the need to strengthen checks to ensure people are really getting what they are paying for.

“We will be following up on our findings with the companies and Food Standards Agency.”

Which? did not name the retailers or brands involved.

A Food Standards Agency spokeswoman said: “Consumers have a right to expect that food is what it says on the label.”