Fake goats’ cheese found in supermarkets

Which? concerned at goat milk shortage

Six of the 76 Goats' cheese samples contained a significant amount of sheep's cheese (Mark Gillow/E+/Getty Creative)

Fake goats’ cheese has been found for sale in supermarkets by a consumer group following a shortage of milk from the animals.

Which? investigated samples from across the UK after becoming “concerned” that a shortage of goats’ milk had not affected the amount of cheese on shop shelves. The watchdog enlisted the help of Professor Chris Elliott, who wrote the Government’s review into food crime following the horsemeat 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 per cent sheep’s cheese, three contained more than 50 per cent.

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.