Cheese Recall Sparks Nationwide Scare

Green speech bubble with the word recall on a black background
Photo: fengdr2020 / Shutterstock

Nine states, 13 sick, eight hospitalized, and one common food: raw milk cheese.

Story Snapshot

  • Federal health officials linked an E. coli outbreak to Graziers raw milk cheeses.
  • Thirteen people got sick across nine states; eight were hospitalized.
  • Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recalled several Graziers raw milk cheeses.
  • Over half of the sick are children five and younger, officials report.

Officials link outbreak to Graziers raw milk cheeses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say Graziers raw milk cheeses from Sierra Nevada Cheese Company are linked to a multistate outbreak of E. coli O26:H11.

Investigators report a strong exposure pattern. Of the nine people interviewed, all nine said they ate Graziers cheese before getting sick, which is rare clarity in foodborne investigations. The CDC describes this as a national investigation with federal and state partners working together.

Cases span at least nine states: California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah, according to the FDA. The official count includes 13 illnesses and eight hospitalizations.

The CDC notes that more than half of those sick are children age five and under, which tracks with past raw dairy outbreaks where young children face higher risk of severe disease. These numbers place the event among the more serious recent cheese-linked outbreaks.

Recall covers multiple cheeses, sizes, and formats

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company launched a voluntary recall that covers Graziers grass-fed raw milk medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack, and Monterey jack. The recall spans eight-ounce and sixteen-ounce retail packages, plus five-pound loaves often used in food service.

The company publicly said illnesses were associated with its medium cheddar but expanded the recall out of caution to cover the full Graziers raw milk cheese line. Consumers should not eat the recalled cheeses.

Public health warnings aim to stop new cases quickly. Raw milk cheeses are not pasteurized, so harmful bacteria in the milk can survive and grow during aging.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, like the O26 strain in this outbreak, can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and, in severe cases, hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. Young children and older adults face the highest risks from these bacteria.

What investigators know and what shoppers should do now

Investigators have named an outbreak identifier and tied the cases to a single product line. The FDA lists the investigation under outbreak reference number 1419 and identifies the strain as E. coli O26:H11.

The central fact pattern is straightforward: every interviewed patient reported eating the cheese, cases stretch across the country, and the producer has recalled affected items. That combination of evidence is why agencies issue clear public guidance while they continue technical work.

Shoppers should check their fridges for Graziers-branded raw milk cheeses and throw them out if they find any. Retailers and restaurants should not sell or serve the recalled products. Parents should be extra careful because the CDC says most of the sick in this event are very young children.

Anyone with severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, or signs of dehydration should seek medical care. Doctors can request stool testing to confirm an E. coli infection when symptoms fit.

Why raw milk cheese keeps showing up in outbreak files

This event fits a broader trend that health officials have tracked for years. The CDC and FDA have logged several outbreaks tied to raw dairy, including raw cheddar cheese and raw milk from another producer in 2026.

In those investigations, children also made up a large share of cases. Public health guidance remains consistent: pasteurization kills dangerous bacteria; skipping that step raises the odds of illness, especially for kids and older adults.

Some producers and customers value raw milk cheese for taste and tradition. They argue careful handling can manage risk. When federal data show that a product line connects to hospital stays for children, the prudent action is to pause, recall, and fix the hazard before it harms more families. That is not anti-farm; it is pro-health and pro-accountability.

Sources:

nypost.com, fda.gov, cdc.gov, abcnews.com

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