Sierra Nevada Cheese Company has recalled all of its Graziers raw milk cheeses after federal health officials tied them to an E. coli outbreak that has made 13 people sick in nine states, over half of them young children. The recall started Thursday, September 24, the day the FDA contacted the company about the outbreak, and the FDA and CDC posted their notices Friday, September 25.
Story Snapshot
- CDC and FDA linked the outbreak to Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses.
- All nine sick people interviewed said they ate the cheese before getting sick.
- Thirteen people were sickened in nine states; eight were hospitalized, and three developed kidney failure (HUS).
- The cheeses were sold at retailers nationwide and online, and buyers can return them for a refund.
What Officials Confirm About the Outbreak
The CDC and FDA said the multistate outbreak is linked to Graziers raw milk cheeses sold by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company. The FDA identified the strain as E. coli O26:H11. The cheeses were sold at retailers nationwide and online, which fits the spread of cases across the country. Officials urged people not to eat, sell, or serve the recalled cheeses.
FDA investigators reported a strong exposure pattern. Of nine people interviewed, all nine said they ate Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese before getting sick. That kind of one hundred percent match is uncommon and important in foodborne investigations. The CDC also said over half of the sick people are children 5 years old and younger, a group at higher risk for severe illness from this type of E. coli.
Where Illnesses Occurred and Who Was Most Affected
Cases were reported in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah. Thirteen people were sickened, eight were hospitalized, and three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious form of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. With so many of the patients being small children, this is a recall for any family with young kids to check right away.
The recall covers Graziers raw milk medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, Monterey jack, and jalapeño jack. It includes 8-ounce and 16-ounce retail packages and 5-pound wholesale loaves. The company began the recall on Thursday, September 24, the same day the FDA contacted it. Consumers should throw the cheese away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund, and clean any items and surfaces that may have touched it.
How This Fits a Larger Raw Dairy Risk Pattern
The CDC and FDA have handled several raw dairy outbreaks in recent years, including an investigation earlier in 2026 into raw cheddar cheese sold by a different producer. Their public guidance says unpasteurized milk and cheese make up a small share of the dairy people eat, yet they are linked to a large share of dairy-related illnesses. That pattern helps explain why agencies move fast once interviews point to one brand in several states.
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company agreed to recall all of its Graziers raw milk cheeses and is working with the FDA. The agencies tied the outbreak to the cheese through patient interviews and where the cases turned up. The core message is direct: do not eat the recalled cheeses. Anyone with severe symptoms, such as bloody diarrhea or signs of dehydration, should get medical care right away.
Why Readers Across the Spectrum Care
Parents and grandparents see a clear safety risk when children land in the hospital. Small farms and food freedom advocates see another blow to raw dairy. Both groups share a concern that our food system is fragile. People want swift, honest alerts and clean plants that prevent outbreaks. They also want rules that are clear and fairly enforced. This case puts that trust to the test and reminds buyers to read labels and know their sources.
Sources:
nypost.com, fda.gov, abcnews.com