E. coli Outbreak Linked to Recalled Raw Milk Cheese Sickens 13 in 9 States
Federal health officials are investigating a multistate raw milk cheese E. coli outbreak that has sickened 13 people across nine states, prompting Sierra Nevada Cheese Company to recall its Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses on September 24, 2026. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), eight people have been hospitalized and three have developed a dangerous kidney complication — a reminder that unpasteurized dairy carries risks that proper protective habits in the kitchen cannot fully undo.
What happened
The CDC and FDA are jointly investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26:H11 linked to Graziers brand raw (unpasteurized) milk cheese sold by the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company. On September 24, 2026, the company recalled the implicated products after being notified by the FDA, and federal agencies published their outbreak notices the following day. As of the CDC’s September 25, 2026 update, 13 people had been sickened, with the most recent illness beginning on August 26, 2026.
The recall covers four Graziers raw milk cheese varieties, which were distributed nationwide and sold online — meaning the products could be in refrigerators far from where the cheese was made. The recalled items include:
- Varieties affected: Graziers grass-fed raw milk medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack, and Monterey jack.
- Package sizes: 8-ounce and 16-ounce retail packages, plus 5-pound food service loaves.
- States with reported illnesses: California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah.
Of the 13 people who fell ill, eight have been hospitalized and three have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that can follow a severe E. coli infection. No deaths have been reported. Both agencies note that the investigation is ongoing and that the number of affected products or states could grow as testing continues.
Why the raw milk cheese E. coli outbreak matters for safety
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is among the more serious foodborne germs because a small number of bacteria can cause real harm. The CDC reports that symptoms often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is frequently bloody, and vomiting, and that most people start to feel sick a few days after swallowing the bacteria. While many recover within a week, some infections progress to HUS — the complication three people in this outbreak have already experienced.
What makes this outbreak especially concerning is who is getting sick. The CDC reports that more than half of the people sickened are children age 5 and younger. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness and HUS, which can require hospitalization and intensive care.
The common thread is raw milk. Unlike pasteurized dairy, raw (unpasteurized) milk and the cheeses made from it have not been heated to a temperature that kills harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. Federal regulators have long warned that raw milk products can carry these germs even when the dairy looks, smells, and tastes normal — and even when the farm follows careful sanitation practices. That is why this particular category of food turns up in outbreak investigations again and again.
What you should do
If you buy specialty or artisan cheese, check your refrigerator now — including the back of the drawer, where a wedge bought weeks ago may still be sitting. The FDA and CDC advice is direct and practical:
- Do not eat, serve, or sell it: Throw away any recalled Graziers raw milk cheese, or return it to the store for a refund.
- Clean up after it: Wash and sanitize any surfaces, containers, drawers, and utensils that may have touched the cheese, using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
- Watch for symptoms: Contact a healthcare provider if you or a family member develops severe diarrhea (especially if bloody), a fever above 102°F, vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down, or signs of dehydration.
- Act fast for young children: Because so many of the sick are small children, parents should seek care promptly for any child showing symptoms and should mention the raw milk cheese exposure.
What to do. Do not eat any recalled Graziers raw milk cheese. Throw it away or return it for a refund, then wash and sanitize anything it touched. If anyone in your household — especially a young child — develops bloody diarrhea, high fever, or signs of dehydration, call a healthcare provider right away.
Context and what’s next
Raw milk cheese outbreaks are not new. The CDC has investigated several illness clusters tied to unpasteurized dairy in recent years, and E. coli O26 in particular has surfaced in more than one of them. Federal guidance is consistent: for the people most at risk — young children, pregnant people, older adults, and anyone with a compromised immune system — pasteurized milk and dairy products are the safer choice. Pasteurization does not meaningfully change nutrition, but it does remove the bacteria that drive outbreaks like this one.
For now, the FDA and CDC say the investigation remains active. The agencies are working to confirm the source of the contamination and to determine whether any additional products should be pulled from shelves. Anyone who has purchased Graziers raw milk cheese should check the FDA and CDC outbreak pages for the latest list of affected items, since recalls are sometimes expanded as testing results come in.
The broader lesson for workplaces, food-service operators, and households is a familiar one in safety work: a hazard you cannot see still demands a plan. Checking labels, honoring recalls promptly, and sanitizing shared surfaces are low-cost habits that keep a single contaminated product from becoming a wider problem.
Disclaimer. This article is for general information only and is not medical, legal, or professional safety advice. Outbreak figures and recall details change as investigations continue; always confirm the current status and affected products directly with the FDA, CDC, and the manufacturer before acting. If you believe you have a foodborne illness, contact a qualified healthcare provider.
Sources: FDA – Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O26:H11: Raw Milk Cheese (September 2026); CDC – E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Cheese; Fox Business – Raw milk cheese recalled following multistate E. coli outbreak.
