Graham’s recalls semi-skimmed milk after penicillin found

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a Food Alert for Graham’s Family Dairy semi-skimmed milk after veterinary medicines, including the antibiotic penicillin, were found in the product. The alert applies to products sold in England and Scotland and is particularly relevant to anyone who may still have an affected bottle stored at home.

The recall concerns Graham’s Family Dairy Semi-Skimmed Milk in three pack sizes. Every affected product listed by the FSA has a best-before date of 31 July 2026:

1 pint
1 litre
2 litres

The product name, pack size and date all need to match before the recall advice applies. Do not rely on the colour of the cap or the general appearance of the bottle alone. The FSA notice does not identify a batch code, retailer list or individual store, so the date and product details are the practical checks available to shoppers.

What the recall means

The FSA says the possible presence of veterinary medicines, including penicillin, may make the affected milk unsafe for people with an allergy to antibiotics such as penicillin. The official customer notice describes the risk as a small possibility that trace levels of antibiotics may be present. It does not say that every bottle contains penicillin, but consumers should still follow the recall instruction for any matching product.

This is a safety recall, not a product quality rating or a finding that all Graham’s milk is affected. The customer notice states that no other Graham’s Family Dairy products or use-by dates are involved. Consumers should therefore check the exact label before deciding what to do with other milk in the refrigerator.

What to do if you have a matching bottle

Stop and check the label. Confirm that the bottle is Graham’s Family Dairy Semi-Skimmed Milk and that the size is 1 pint, 1 litre or 2 litres. Then check for the 31 July 2026 best-before date.
Do not consume it. Do not drink affected milk or use it in tea, coffee, cereal, sauces, baking or any other recipe. Cooking it into another dish is still consumption of the recalled product.
Keep it separate. Move the bottle away from other food and avoid pouring it into another container, where the product identity and date could be lost.
Return it to the retailer. The FSA says consumers should take the product back to the store for a full refund. If the bottle has already been discarded, there is no reason to retrieve it from household waste.
Take extra care with allergy concerns. Anyone with a known antibiotic allergy who has consumed the affected product and is concerned about a reaction should seek appropriate medical advice. People with an established emergency plan should follow it if symptoms develop.

It is also sensible to tell other people in the household about the recall, especially if milk is routinely used by children, older adults or anyone who manages a food allergy. A quick check of the refrigerator, freezer and any meal-preparation area can prevent an affected bottle being used accidentally.

Why the date matters

The official recall is defined by a combination of product type, pack size and date. A different Graham’s milk product, a different size or a different date is not automatically part of this alert. That distinction matters because broad assumptions can lead people either to discard unaffected food or, more seriously, to miss a product that matches the notice.

For shoppers who use milk in everyday cooking, the safest approach is simple: pause before opening a bottle, read the label, and compare it with the FSA listing. If all the details match, do not taste-test the milk to decide whether it is safe. Return it for a refund instead.

The manufacturer’s semi-skimmed milk information can help identify the product category, but the FSA alert remains the controlling source for the recall details. The accompanying image is an official Graham’s product visual for orientation only; shoppers must use the printed pack information to determine whether their milk is affected.

The practical takeaway

Check for Graham’s Family Dairy Semi-Skimmed Milk in a 1-pint, 1-litre or 2-litre pack with a 31 July 2026 best-before date. If those details match, do not drink or cook with the milk. Return it to the retailer for a full refund, and take particular care if anyone who may consume it has a known antibiotic allergy. Other Graham’s products and different dates are not included in this specific FSA alert.