It’s an easy lunch: a few slices of grass-fed cheddar cut into cubes for a toddler’s snack box. But if that cheese is from one particular raw milk brand, health officials are urging families to throw it out. A multistate E. coli outbreak has put eight people in the hospital, and more than half of those who got sick are small children.
Key Takeaways
- Sierra Nevada Cheese Company of Willows, California, has recalled all of its Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses. The recall covers medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack and Monterey jack, sold nationwide in stores and online.
- As of September 29, 2026, the outbreak includes 13 illnesses in 9 states. Eight people were hospitalized and three developed a dangerous kidney complication. No deaths have been reported.
- More than half of those sickened are children 5 or younger. This age group is the most vulnerable to severe illness.
- The bacteria is E. coli O26:H11, a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can cause bloody diarrhea and, in some cases, kidney failure.
- Check your fridge and freezer. Hard cheese keeps for a long time, so recalled packages may still be in homes.
What’s happening now
The CDC announced the outbreak on September 25, 2026. As of the FDA’s September 29 update, 13 people have fallen ill in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah. Illnesses began over the summer, and the most recent known case started on August 26.
Eight people were sick enough to be hospitalized. Three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a condition in which the toxin damages red blood cells and the kidneys. Investigators interviewed nine of the patients, and all nine said they had eaten Graziers raw milk cheese before getting sick. The company says medium cheddar is the variety most closely tied to the illnesses. The FDA says its investigation into the source of the contamination is ongoing.
The company’s recall covers every Graziers raw milk cheese currently in distribution, because no specific lot has been ruled out. That includes:
- Medium Cheddar: 8-oz square, 16-oz brick, 5-lb loaf, 40-lb block
- Sharp Cheddar: 8-oz square, 5-lb loaf, 40-lb block
- Monterey Jack: 8-oz square, 5-lb loaf, 40-lb block
- Jalapeño Jack: 8-oz square, 5-lb loaf
The 5-lb loaves and 40-lb blocks went to restaurants, delis and other food service customers. If you buy cut-to-order cheese, ask the store where it came from.
Why raw milk cheese carries this risk
Raw milk is milk that hasn’t been pasteurized, the brief heat treatment that kills harmful bacteria. Cheese made from it can carry germs such as E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella from the farm into the final product. The CDC recommends choosing pasteurized milk and dairy, especially for children under 5. Older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are also more likely to become seriously ill.
What to do
- Don’t eat it. Throw away any recalled Graziers cheese, or return it to the store for a refund. Don’t taste it to check, because contaminated cheese looks and smells normal.
- Clean up. Wash fridge shelves, cutting boards, knives and counters that touched the cheese with hot, soapy water.
- Know the symptoms. Symptoms usually start about 3 to 4 days after eating contaminated food, though it can take up to 10 days. Watch for severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, often bloody, sometimes with vomiting or a low fever.
- Get care promptly if diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, there’s blood in the stool, a fever is above 102°F, or there are signs of dehydration such as very little urination or dizziness. Dehydration can happen quickly in young children.
- Watch for HUS. About 5% to 10% of people with this type of E. coli develop HUS, usually around a week after symptoms start, just as the diarrhea may seem to be improving. Warning signs include peeing much less, unusual tiredness, pale skin and unexplained bruising. HUS is a medical emergency.
- Tell the doctor about the cheese. Doctors generally don’t give antibiotics for this type of E. coli, because they may raise the risk of HUS. Knowing the likely cause helps them choose the right care.
Questions about the recall can go to Sierra Nevada Cheese Company at (530) 934-8662 or recallinfo@sierranevadacheese.com.
The bigger picture
This is the second E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese announced in the U.S. this year. In the spring, a separate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 was linked to raw cheddar and raw milk from a different California company, Raw Farm. Interest in raw dairy has grown, but outbreaks like these are why health agencies continue to warn that unpasteurized products carry real risks, especially for young children.
This isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you or your child ate the recalled cheese and feel unwell, call your doctor.
Sources:
- FDA. Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O26:H11: Raw Milk Cheese (September 2026)
- FDA. Sierra Nevada Cheese Company Recalls Graziers Raw Milk Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk
- CDC. E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Cheese