Updated: October 1, 2026. Case counts below reflect the latest FDA and CDC figures, last updated September 25. Numbers may change as the investigation continues.
Quick answer: What is the Sierra Nevada cheese E. coli recall?
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company of Willows, California, has recalled all Graziers raw milk cheeses on the market because of possible contamination with E. coli O26:H11. The FDA and CDC are investigating a linked outbreak that has sickened 13 people in nine states, hospitalizing eight. The cheese was sold nationwide. Don’t eat it; throw it away or return it.
Federal health officials are asking people to check their refrigerators and freezers for a specific line of raw milk cheese. The product is Sierra Nevada’s Graziers brand, and the concern is a strain of E. coli that can cause serious illness, especially in young children.
That last point matters here. According to the CDC, more than half of the people sickened so far are children 5 years old or younger.
Sierra Nevada Cheese Recall: What Happened?
The timeline is short. On September 24, 2026, the FDA contacted Sierra Nevada Cheese Company about the outbreak and recommended a recall. The company agreed and started the recall that same day. The company’s formal announcement followed on September 28, and the FDA posted it on September 29.
The company says it immediately stopped producing and shipping all Graziers raw milk cheese, notified customers who bought directly from it, and posted notices on its website and social media.
It helps to separate two things that often get blurred together:
- The recall is the company pulling products off the market. That’s a precaution based on the risk.
- The outbreak investigation is public health agencies working out who got sick, from what, and how. That work is still ongoing.
Which Sierra Nevada Cheese Products Are Recalled?
The recall covers four varieties sold under the Sierra Nevada Graziers brand: Monterey Jack, Jalapeño Jack, Medium Cheddar and Sharp Cheddar. Here is the full list from the company’s announcement posted by the FDA:
| Product | Package | UPC / Item number |
|---|---|---|
| Graziers Raw Milk Monterey Jack | 8 oz square | UPC 6-87652-16400-9 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Jalapeño Jack | 8 oz square | UPC 6-87652-16403-0 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar | 8 oz square | UPC 6-87652-16506-8 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Sharp Cheddar | 8 oz square | UPC 6-87652-16507-5 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar | 16 oz brick | UPC 6-87652-16501-3 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Monterey Jack | 5 lb loaf | Item 6425 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Jalapeño Jack | 5 lb loaf | Item 6426 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar | 5 lb loaf | Item 6510 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Sharp Cheddar | 5 lb loaf | Item 6511 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Cheddar block | 40 lb block | Items 6515 and 6516 |
The 8 oz and 16 oz packages are what shoppers would find in stores. The 5 lb loaves and 40 lb blocks went to food service and wholesale customers, which means the cheese could also have reached restaurants, delis or shops that cut and rewrap cheese.
There are no specific lot numbers or dates to check. The company says the investigation hasn’t been narrowed to a specific lot, date code or production date, so it’s recalling everything listed above as a precaution. If you have Graziers raw milk cheese, it’s included, whatever the date on the package.
Is the Sierra Nevada Cheese Recall Nationwide?
Yes. The cheese was distributed nationwide through distributors, retailers and direct customers, and the FDA says it was sold at stores nationwide and online. Officials haven’t published a list of specific stores.
Don’t confuse where people got sick with where the cheese was sold. Illnesses have been reported in nine states so far, but the recall applies everywhere. The CDC also cautions that the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.
Why Was Sierra Nevada Cheese Recalled?
The cheese was recalled because it may be contaminated with E. coli O26:H11. The company’s announcement says illnesses have been epidemiologically associated with Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar, but that a specific lot, production date or source of contamination hasn’t been identified.
To be clear about what’s known: the official notices describe potential contamination. Neither the FDA advisory nor the company’s announcement reports that finished cheese has tested positive for the bacteria.
So how did investigators connect the illnesses to this cheese? Two kinds of evidence:
Epidemiological evidence (what sick people ate). Of the 9 people interviewed, all 9 said they had eaten Graziers raw milk cheese. For comparison, only 4.9% of people in a national CDC survey reported eating raw milk cheese, which the CDC says suggests people in this outbreak got sick from it. This is strong evidence of a pattern, but it isn’t the same as lab-testing a specific package each person ate.
Laboratory evidence (genetic matching). Using a technique called whole genome sequencing, essentially a DNA fingerprint of the bacteria, the CDC found that bacteria from sick people were closely related genetically, suggesting they got sick from the same food.
What Is E. Coli O26:H11?
Most E. coli bacteria are harmless and live in the gut. Some types, though, produce a toxin called Shiga toxin. These are known as STEC, short for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. O26:H11 is one of them.
According to the company’s FDA-posted notice, this strain can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older people and people with weakened immune systems. Most people recover within a week, but some develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe condition involving the breakdown of red blood cells, low platelets and kidney failure that can be fatal.
What Is Raw Milk Cheese?
“Raw milk” means milk that hasn’t been pasteurized. Pasteurization heats milk to kill harmful bacteria. Cheese made from raw milk skips that step, so any bacteria present in the milk can end up in the cheese.
The CDC recommends choosing pasteurized milk and dairy products, especially for children under 5, because they’re more likely to get severely ill from foodborne infections.
How Many People Have Become Sick?
As of the CDC’s September 25 update:
| Illnesses | 13 |
| Hospitalizations | 8 |
| HUS cases | 3 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| States | California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah |
Food Poisoning Bulletin, based on official data, reports the cases by state as California (3), Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Kentucky (1), Michigan (1), Nevada (3), Oregon (1), Tennessee (1) and Utah (1).
Sick people range from 1 to 58 years old, with a median age of 5. Illnesses started between July 7 and August 26, 2026.
The real number is probably higher. The CDC says many people recover without seeing a doctor and are never tested, and it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to confirm whether a new illness is part of an outbreak.
What Are the Symptoms of E. Coli?
According to the FDA, symptoms can begin a few days after eating contaminated food or up to nine days later. They include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting.
The CDC notes that most people with STEC infections have severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting, and that some develop kidney problems (HUS) that require hospitalization.
What Should You Do If You Have Recalled Sierra Nevada Cheese?
Step 1: Do not eat it
Don’t eat it, serve it, or give it away. Don’t taste or smell it to decide whether it’s fine; contamination can’t be detected that way.
Step 2: Check the product against the recall
Look for “Graziers” and “raw milk” on the label and compare the UPC to the table above. Check your freezer too. The CDC points out these cheeses have a long shelf life, so they could have been sitting at home for a while.
If you stored cheese without its original packaging and can’t tell if it’s Graziers, the FDA advises throwing it away.
Step 3: Throw it away or return it
Return it to where you bought it for a refund, or dispose of it.
Step 4: Clean surfaces and containers
Clean and sanitize anything the cheese touched. More on that below.
Step 5: Monitor for symptoms
If you or someone in your home ate the cheese, watch for symptoms over the following days.
Step 6: Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms occur
The FDA advises contacting a healthcare provider right away if you ate the cheese and have any symptoms of E. coli infection.
What If You Already Ate the Recalled Cheese?
Eating the cheese doesn’t mean you’ll get sick. But the CDC says to call a healthcare provider right away if you have:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
- Diarrhea for more than 2 days that isn’t improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you can’t keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as peeing very little, a dry mouth and throat, or feeling dizzy when standing up
Tell your provider you may have eaten a recalled product, since that helps them decide on testing. Parents of young children should pay particular attention, given how many of the people sickened in this outbreak are 5 or younger.
How Should You Clean Your Refrigerator and Kitchen?
The CDC suggests washing items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled cheese with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.
That includes refrigerator shelves and drawers, cutting boards, knives, graters and any containers or bags you stored the cheese in. The FDA asks consumers, restaurants and retailers to carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers the cheese touched, following its safe food handling guidance. Wash your hands with soap and water afterward.
Is Other Sierra Nevada Cheese Safe?
The recall covers only the Graziers raw milk cheeses listed above. Sierra Nevada Cheese Company makes other products, and those aren’t part of this recall.
That said, the investigation isn’t finished. The FDA says it’s still working to determine the source of contamination and whether other products might be affected. If that changes, the FDA will update its advisory, so it’s worth checking back.
Is the E. Coli Investigation Still Ongoing?
Yes. Both the CDC and FDA list the investigation as open. Investigators are still trying to pin down:
- The source of contamination
- Whether a specific lot or production date is involved
- Whether any other products are affected
Latest Sierra Nevada Cheese Recall Update
October 1, 2026: No new case counts have been published since September 25. The FDA’s most recent recall and advisory pages are current as of September 29. The official count stands at 13 illnesses, 8 hospitalizations, 3 HUS cases and no deaths across nine states. All Graziers raw milk cheeses remain recalled, and the investigation is ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Sierra Nevada cheese is being recalled?
All Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheeses: Monterey Jack, Jalapeño Jack, Medium Cheddar and Sharp Cheddar, in 8 oz, 16 oz, 5 lb and 40 lb sizes.
Why was Sierra Nevada cheese recalled?
The cheese may be contaminated with E. coli O26:H11 and has been linked to a multistate outbreak investigated by the FDA and CDC.
Is every package contaminated?
Not necessarily. The company recalled all Graziers raw milk cheese because investigators haven’t narrowed the problem to a specific lot or date.
Which states have reported illnesses?
California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah. The cheese itself was sold nationwide.
How many people are sick?
13 people, with 8 hospitalized and 3 who developed HUS. No deaths have been reported, as of September 25.
Is the Sierra Nevada cheese recall nationwide?
Yes. The cheese was sold at retailers nationwide and online.
Can I get a refund for recalled cheese?
Yes. Return it to the place of purchase for a refund, or throw it away.
Can recalled cheese still be in my freezer?
Yes. The cheese has a long shelf life, so check both your refrigerator and freezer.
What should I do if I ate the recalled cheese?
Watch for symptoms and contact a healthcare provider right away if you have any signs of E. coli infection.
Who can I contact with questions?
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company at (530) 934-8662, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, or recallinfo@sierranevadacheese.com.
Sources
- FDA: Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recall announcement: Product list, UPCs, item numbers, distribution, lot information, company actions, contact details, STEC and HUS information.
- FDA: Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O26:H11, Raw Milk Cheese (September 2026): Case counts, states, timeline, symptoms, consumer and retailer advice, freezer and cleaning guidance, investigation status.
- CDC: E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Cheese: Case counts, children affected, symptoms, when to seek care, cleaning advice, pasteurization tip.
- CDC: Investigation Update, September 2026: Interview results, whole genome sequencing, ages, illness dates, likely undercounting.
- Food Poisoning Bulletin: Case counts by state
