Nationwide Recall of Sierra Nevada Graziers Raw Milk Cheese After Multistate E. coli Outbreak

In September 2026 the FDA notified Sierra Nevada Cheese Company that a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing *Escherichia coli* O26:H11 was linked to the company’s Graziers raw-milk cheeses. The company voluntarily recalled all four varieties—medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack and Monterey jack—sold in 8-ounce and 16-ounce retail packages and 5-pound loaves for food-service customers.

E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese brand: CDC, FDA WFLD - Fox 32 - ChicagoNew E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese New York PostRaw Milk Cheese Linked to E.Coli Outbreak Medical Daily9-state E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese Times of San Diego

Raw milk cheeses are not pasteurized, a step that normally destroys pathogenic bacteria. Health officials have warned that such products can carry *E. coli*, *Listeria* and *Salmonella*. Sierra Nevada’s raw goat-milk cheese was recalled in August 2025 after Listeria was detected, underscoring ongoing safety concerns with the brand’s unpasteurized lines.

9-state E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese Medical DailyNew York PostWFRV - Green Bay NewsFox Business (website)E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese brand: CDC, FDA UsNews and World Report

• Illnesses: 13 confirmed cases in nine states.

Medical Daily

• Hospitalizations: 8 patients.

New E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese

• Severe complications: 3 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.

New E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese

• Age distribution: Median age 5 years; over half are children <=5.

Medical Daily

• Onset timeline: Illnesses began July 7 2026 and continued through late August.

Medical Daily

• The FDA instructed consumers to discard any Graziers raw-milk cheese, return it for a refund, and clean any surfaces it touched, noting the product’s long shelf life may keep it in freezers.

9-state E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese

• The CDC advisory described typical *E. coli* symptoms and urged prompt medical care for fever above 102 °F, prolonged or bloody diarrhea, or dehydration, reiterating its recommendation to choose pasteurized dairy for children under five.

UsNews and World Report

• County Public Health Officer Sayone Thihalolipavan thanked the epidemiology team for rapid detection and emphasized the heightened risk to young children, pregnant women, older adults and immunocompromised individuals.

Times of San Diego

• “We are deeply grateful for the rigorous work of our epidemiology team, whose swift detection helped bring this recall to light,” — County Public Health Officer

Raw Milk Cheese Linked to E.Coli Outbreak

County health officials in San Diego warned residents not to consume the recalled cheese after two local children were hospitalized. Retailers were asked to remove the products from shelves and inform customers of the recall.

Medical Daily

Federal investigators have not yet obtained a positive laboratory test confirming *E. coli* in any cheese sample, leaving the contamination source unidentified and the possibility of additional illnesses.

WFLD - Fox 32 - Chicago

The outbreak highlights the public-health risk of raw milk cheeses, especially for vulnerable populations. Hospitalizations and HUS cases among very young children illustrate the severity of food-borne infections that pasteurization can prevent.

Medical Daily

The FDA investigation remains active, with plans to update its advisory as new information emerges. The CDC will continue monitoring case reports and may adjust guidance if the outbreak expands or a contamination source is confirmed. Consumers should follow FDA disposal and sanitation recommendations and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms develop after exposure.

Medical Daily