Sierra Nevada Cheese Company Recalled Raw Milk Products
The manufacturer issued a voluntary recall after an E. coli outbreak sickened thirteen people across nine states.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Do you trust the safety of raw milk dairy products sold in grocery stores?
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company has recalled all Graziers raw milk cheese products following an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 13 individuals. Eight people were hospitalized during the outbreak, and three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Why it matters
The company initiated the widespread recall because investigators have not yet identified a specific production lot or date code responsible for the contamination. All nine patients interviewed by officials confirmed they had consumed the affected cheese products.
The recall encompasses medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeno jack, and Monterey jack in 8-oz, 16-oz, and 5-pound sizes. No deaths have been linked to the outbreak among the 13 infected individuals.
The players
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company
This is a California-based manufacturer that produces a variety of dairy products, including the Graziers line of raw milk cheeses.
Food and Drug Administration
The federal agency is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of the nation's food supply and medical products.
The details
The FDA contacted the company regarding the outbreak on Sept. 24, leading to the voluntary recall of all Graziers raw milk cheese. Consumers are advised to sanitize any surfaces that have come into contact with the recalled items to prevent further spread of the bacteria.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The company was contacted by the FDA and initiated the voluntary recall.
September 25, 2026: The FDA issued an updated investigation advisory.
Culture Shift
This recall follows a pattern established by the 2018 Cyclospora outbreak, where widespread products are pulled because the exact source of contamination remains unknown. It highlights the inherent health risks associated with the increasing consumer demand for raw dairy products.
Consumers who have purchased Graziers raw milk products should immediately stop eating them and sanitize any kitchen surfaces the cheese touched. Those concerned about potential symptoms should monitor their health and contact a healthcare provider if necessary.
The takeaway
The lack of a specific lot number means all Graziers raw milk cheese products are currently considered potentially unsafe. If you have any of these items in your refrigerator, you should discard them rather than attempting to verify their production date.
Further reading
For more information on food safety and dairy standards, visit the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC News.
Live Poll
Do you trust the safety of raw milk dairy products sold in grocery stores?
