Summary (tl;dr)

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company has voluntarily recalled all of its Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products due to potential contamination with E. coli O26:H11, which has been linked to a multistate outbreak causing serious illnesses, hospitalizations, and cases of kidney failure.

Essential Background

Raw milk cheese is produced from milk that has not undergone pasteurization, a heating process designed to eliminate harmful bacteria. This means raw milk products can inherently carry a higher risk of containing pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, or Listeria, which can cause severe foodborne illnesses. E. coli O26:H11 is a Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli (STEC) known for causing serious health complications.

The Full Story

On September 24, 2026, the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, based in Willows, California, initiated a voluntary nationwide recall of all its Graziers Raw Milk Cheese varieties, including medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeno jack, and Monterey jack. This action was taken following an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) into a multistate outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 infections.

To date, 13 individuals across nine states have been confirmed to have fallen ill after consuming the recalled cheese. Among these cases, eight people required hospitalization, and three developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe and potentially life-threatening form of kidney failure. A concerning detail of the outbreak is that more than half of the affected individuals are children aged five or younger. The company has ceased production and distribution of the affected cheese and is collaborating with federal health agencies to manage the ongoing investigation.

Why It Matters

The recall of Graziers Raw Milk Cheese is significant due to the severe health risks associated with E. coli O26:H11 contamination. This particular strain of E. coli can cause acute diarrheal illness, often accompanied by bloody stools, severe stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, are particularly susceptible to severe and sometimes fatal infections. The development of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) in three of the hospitalized cases underscores the gravity of this outbreak, as HUS can lead to permanent kidney damage or death. This event highlights the critical importance of food safety regulations and the inherent dangers of consuming unpasteurized products, fueling ongoing discussions about the need for clearer warning labels on raw milk cheeses.

Geographic Location

• Willows, Glenn County, California, United States (location of Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, which initiated the recall)
• Nationwide, United States (distribution of recalled Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products)
• California, United States (state with reported E. coli illnesses)
• Nevada, United States (state with reported E. coli illnesses)
• Colorado, United States (state with reported E. coli illnesses)
• Georgia, United States (state with reported E. coli illnesses)
• Kentucky, United States (state with reported E. coli illnesses)
• Michigan, United States (state with reported E. coli illnesses)
• Oregon, United States (state with reported E. coli illnesses)
• Tennessee, United States (state with reported E. coli illnesses)
• Utah, United States (state with reported E. coli illnesses)