Food Recalls: Cheese Recalled After E. Coli Outbreak as 13 illnesses, eight hospitalizations, and three HUS cases are reported nationwide.
Food Recalls: Cheese Recalled Nationwide
Food Recalls: Cheese Recalled After E. Coli Outbreak follows a nationwide recall involving Graziers raw milk cheese products.
Federal health officials are investigating 13 illnesses linked to potentially contaminated Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese.
Eight people required hospitalization, while three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious kidney complication.
No deaths have been reported, although investigators warn the outbreak could involve additional unreported illnesses.
Which Cheese Products Are Recalled?
The recall covers all Graziers raw milk cheeses currently distributed across the United States.
Affected products include Monterey Jack, Jalapeño Jack, Medium Cheddar, and Sharp Cheddar varieties.
The recalled cheese comes in retail packages, food-service loaves, and larger cheddar blocks.
Consumers should avoid eating, serving, selling, or distributing any recalled Graziers raw milk cheese.
E. Coli Outbreak Sickens 13 People
Health investigators identified 13 illnesses across nine states during the ongoing multistate outbreak investigation.
California and Nevada each reported three cases, while seven additional states reported individual infections.
The affected states include Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah.
More than half of those sickened are children aged five or younger, according to investigators.
Three People Develop HUS
Three patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome following their E. coli infections during this outbreak.
HUS can damage the kidneys and represents a serious complication requiring prompt medical attention.
Eight people required hospitalization, while investigators reported no deaths in the latest available information.
The reported illnesses began between July 7 and August 26, 2026, according to investigators.
Why Was The Cheese Recalled?
Investigators identified E. coli O26 as the strain connected with the current outbreak.
The bacteria belongs to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness.
Officials interviewed nine patients and found that all nine reported eating Graziers raw milk cheese beforehand.
Genetic testing also found closely related bacteria among patient samples, supporting a common contamination source.
Nationwide Distribution Raises Concern
The recalled cheese reached consumers nationwide, although confirmed illnesses currently involve nine states.
Officials caution that the outbreak may extend beyond states where illnesses have already been identified.
The true case count could remain higher because some people recover without medical care or testing.
Recent infections may also take several weeks before investigators connect them with the outbreak.
What Should Consumers Do?
Consumers should check refrigerators and freezers for any Graziers raw milk cheese products.
Anyone finding recalled cheese should avoid eating it and either discard or return it promptly.
Retailers and restaurants should also remove affected products from service and prevent further distribution.
People should clean surfaces and containers that contacted recalled cheese to reduce potential contamination risks.
Watch For E. Coli Symptoms
E. coli infections can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Some infections can produce bloody diarrhea and develop into serious complications requiring medical attention.
People who consumed recalled cheese and develop symptoms should contact a healthcare professional promptly.
Parents should watch young children carefully because children account for more than half the reported illnesses.
Food Recalls Investigation Continues
Investigators continue examining the contamination source and whether additional products could become part of the recall.
The current recall remains focused on Graziers raw milk cheese produced by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company.
Officials are also continuing to collect information from patients and conduct laboratory testing.
Consumers should continue checking recall updates because investigators may release additional information as testing progresses.
What Happens Next?
The investigation will determine whether contamination affected additional products or production batches.
Health officials may update the illness count if newly identified patients meet outbreak criteria.
For now, consumers should avoid every recalled Graziers raw milk cheese product until officials provide further guidance.
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