Graham’s Family Dairy has recalled selected bottles of its semi-skimmed milk after veterinary medicines, including antibiotics such as penicillin, were detected in the product.
The recall covers one-pint, one-litre and two-litre bottles carrying the date 31 July 2026. Consumers should not drink the affected milk, even when they do not have a known antibiotic allergy. It should instead be returned to the retailer for a full refund.
The official Food Standards Agency alert is described as England and Scotland specific. Graham’s milk is stocked by retailers including Tesco, Asda and Morrisons, although the exact affected lines and store availability may vary by location.
Semi-skimmed milk recall summary:
| Recall detail | Confirmed information |
| Brand | Graham’s Family Dairy |
| Product | Semi-Skimmed Milk |
| Affected sizes | 1 pint, 1 litre and 2 litres |
| Date to check | 31 July 2026 |
| Reason for recall | Veterinary medicines, including antibiotics such as penicillin, detected in the product |
| Main health concern | Possible reaction in people with an allergy to antibiotics, including penicillin |
| Consumer action | Do not consume the milk |
| Refund advice | Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund |
| Areas covered by the official FSA alert | England and Scotland |
| Recall published | 22 July 2026 |
| Other Graham’s products affected? | The producer says no other products or date codes are affected |
Which Semi-skimmed Milk Has Been Recalled?
The recall applies specifically to Graham’s Family Dairy Semi-Skimmed Milk in the following pack sizes:
- One-pint bottles
- One-litre bottles
- Two-litre bottles
Each affected bottle carries the date 31 July 2026.
The Food Standards Agency lists this as a best-before date, while some individual supermarket notices may describe it as a date code or use-by date.
Shoppers should therefore focus on the clearly printed 31 July 2026 date and the Graham’s semi-skimmed product name.
Milk with a different date code is not included in the published recall unless a retailer or regulator issues a further update.
Why Has Graham’s Semi-skimmed Milk Been Recalled?
The milk has been recalled because veterinary medicines, including antibiotics and penicillin, were found in the affected product.
Veterinary medicines may be used to treat animals under controlled conditions. However, food-production rules are intended to prevent unacceptable medicine residues from entering products intended for consumers.
According to the official recall notice, the presence of antibiotics may make the affected milk unsafe to consume and may pose a particular risk to anyone with an allergy to antibiotics, including penicillin.
Graham’s Family Dairy described the action as a precautionary measure and said there was a small risk that trace levels of antibiotics may be present. The company has advised all customers with an affected bottle not to drink it.
Is the Milk Only Dangerous to People With a Penicillin Allergy?
The published alert highlights people with antibiotic or penicillin allergies as the group facing the clearest identified health risk.
However, the official consumer advice is not limited to people with known allergies. It says that nobody should consume the affected product.
A person without a diagnosed allergy should therefore not assume that the milk is suitable to drink. The safest action is to stop using it and return it.
Where Was the Recalled Milk Sold?
Reports have identified major supermarkets including:
- Tesco
- Asda
- Morrisons
The product may also have been available through other retailers that stock Graham’s Family Dairy products.
The official Food Standards Agency notice is labelled England and Scotland specific, so consumers in those areas should check their refrigerators carefully.
Store availability differs by region, and not every branch of Tesco, Asda or Morrisons will necessarily have stocked the affected milk.
Asda’s recall notice confirms that one-pint, one-litre and two-litre bottles with the 31 July date code can be returned to a nearby store for a full refund without a receipt.
Tesco’s published notice specifically refers to its one-litre product sold in Scottish stores. It also states that customers can receive a full refund without presenting a receipt.
Consumers can read the official Food Standards Agency recall notice for the latest regulatory information.
The original report is also available through The Independent’s coverage of the milk recall.
What Should Shoppers Do With the Recalled Milk?
Anyone who has an affected bottle should follow these steps:
- Do not drink the milk.
- Do not use it in tea, coffee, cereal, cooking or baking.
- Check the brand, product type, bottle size and printed date.
- Keep the bottle separate from other food and drink.
- Return it to the supermarket or retailer where it was purchased.
- Request a full refund.
The Food Standards Agency says consumers should return the milk to the place of purchase. Individual retailer notices may confirm that a receipt is not required.
Consumers should not pour the milk into another container before returning it, as the original packaging provides the product name and date information needed to identify the recalled item.
Practical Example
A shopper has a two-litre bottle of Graham’s semi-skimmed milk in the refrigerator.
The bottle displays 31 July 2026, but it smells normal and has not been opened. It is still covered by the recall. The shopper should not taste it to check whether it is safe. The bottle should be returned to the retailer for a refund.
A different bottle of Graham’s whole milk is not automatically included. The published recall applies specifically to the listed semi-skimmed milk products and date code.
What Should Someone Do if They Have Already Drunk the Milk?
A person who has consumed the recalled milk should stop using the product and monitor how they feel.
The recall does not mean that every person who drinks the milk will become ill. The identified concern is the potential presence of veterinary medicines and the possibility of an allergic reaction, particularly among people allergic to antibiotics or penicillin.
Possible signs of an allergic reaction can include:
- An itchy or raised rash
- Swelling around the eyes, lips or face
- Wheezing or breathlessness
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- Swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue
Severe allergic reactions can develop rapidly. The NHS advises calling 999 immediately when someone has swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat, difficulty swallowing, confusion, fainting or other signs of anaphylaxis.
A prescribed adrenaline auto-injector should be used immediately when appropriate.
Health disclaimer: This information provides general recall and safety guidance. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or emergency care. Anyone concerned about symptoms or possible exposure should seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.
Are Other Graham’s Family Dairy Products Affected?
Graham’s Family Dairy has said that no other products or date codes are affected by this recall.
That means the published warning should not automatically be applied to:
- Graham’s whole milk
- Graham’s skimmed milk
- Butter, yoghurt, cream or other dairy products
- Semi-skimmed milk carrying a different date
Nevertheless, consumers should check the product label carefully rather than relying on bottle colour alone.
Further recalls or amendments are possible whenever food-safety investigations continue. Shoppers should follow notices displayed in stores and updates from the Food Standards Agency, Food Standards Scotland and the retailer involved.
What is the Difference Between a Product Withdrawal and a Recall?
A product withdrawal normally involves removing an item from sale before it reaches or remains available to customers.
A product recall goes further by asking consumers who may already have bought the product to return it or dispose of it according to official instructions.
The Food Standards Agency issues Product Recall Information Notices to alert consumers and local authorities when a food product presents a safety problem. In this case, customers are being asked to return affected Graham’s semi-skimmed milk for a refund.
Final Takeaway
The semi-skimmed milk recall affects Graham’s Family Dairy one-pint, one-litre and two-litre bottles dated 31 July 2026.
The product should not be consumed because veterinary medicines, including antibiotics such as penicillin, were detected. Shoppers should return affected bottles to the place of purchase for a full refund.
People with an antibiotic or penicillin allergy should take the warning particularly seriously. Anyone who develops signs of a severe allergic reaction should treat it as a medical emergency and call 999.
FAQs
What brand of semi-skimmed milk has been recalled?
The recalled product is Graham’s Family Dairy Semi-Skimmed Milk.
What date is printed on the recalled milk?
The affected bottles carry the date 31 July 2026.
Which bottle sizes are affected?
The official recall covers one-pint, one-litre and two-litre bottles.
Why is the milk being recalled?
Veterinary medicines, including antibiotics such as penicillin, were detected in the affected product.
Can the recalled milk still be used for cooking?
No. The official advice is not to consume it in any form. This includes using it in sauces, cakes, hot drinks, cereal or other recipes.
Can the milk be returned to Tesco, Asda or Morrisons?
An affected bottle should be returned to the place where it was purchased. Tesco and Asda have published refund instructions for affected products, while consumers who bought it from Morrisons should follow the notice displayed by the store or contact the retailer directly.
Is a receipt needed to receive a refund?
Asda and Tesco state that a receipt is not required under their published recall instructions. Policies should still be checked with the relevant retailer when the product was bought elsewhere.
Does the recall include whole milk or skimmed milk?
No. The published alert specifically identifies Graham’s Family Dairy Semi-Skimmed Milk. The company says no other products or date codes are affected.
What should a person do after drinking the recalled milk?
They should stop consuming it and monitor for symptoms. Anyone experiencing breathing difficulties, throat or tongue swelling, fainting or other signs of a severe allergic reaction should call 999 immediately.
Is the recall UK-wide?
The official Food Standards Agency alert is labelled England and Scotland specific. Some reports have used broader UK wording, but consumers should rely on the regulator’s geographic description and local retailer notices.
Note: This article has been reviewed against official Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland guidance.