The widow of a West Sussex artist who died after consuming listeria-infected artisan cheese has initiated legal action seeking over £200,000 in compensation. Roger Parkes, a painter from West Sussex, fell seriously ill and died in 2023 shortly after eating cheeses ordered by his wife, Carina, from the Wiltshire-based retailer Old Cheese Room. The cheese in question, a semi-soft “Baronet” Reblochon made from organic Jersey milk, was subsequently recalled by the company following the incident.

An official inquest attributed Mr. Parkes’ death to multiple organ failure caused by listeria infection. In addition to Mr. Parkes, two other people reportedly became ill after consuming the contaminated cheese. The Old Cheese Room has acknowledged that the “Baronet” cheese was contaminated with listeria but denies that it was responsible for his death. The firm notes that Mr. Parkes had pre-existing serious health conditions, which it argues complicate the question of liability.

Alexander MacPherson, representing The Old Cheese Room Ltd, accepted the presence of the bacteria in the product but asserted that responsibility for establishing a direct link between the cheese and Mr. Parkes’ death rests with the widow. The legal claim remains unresolved as the case has yet to proceed to court.

The dispute highlights ongoing concerns regarding food safety, particularly in relation to artisan food products, and the challenges in attributing liability when underlying health issues are involved.