FDA / CDC outbreak recall · September 2026
Is Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese recalled?
Yes — every lot and date. Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recalled all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese (Monterey Jack, Jalapeño Jack, Medium Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar) after a multistate E. coli O26:H11 outbreak: 13 sick, 8 hospitalized, 3 with kidney failure (HUS) in 9 states, over half of them children 5 or younger (FDA / CDC, September 25, 2026). Sold nationwide and online. The cheese keeps for a long time, so check your fridge and freezer.
Recalled Graziers raw milk cheeses
From the company announcement published by FDA on September 29, 2026. No lot, date code or production date has been ruled out, so all of these are included whatever the date on the package.
| Product | Package | UPC / item |
|---|---|---|
| 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 loaves | 5 lb loaf | Item 6425 |
| Graziers Raw Milk Jalapeño Jack loaves | 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 | Item 6515; 6516 |
- Brand: Sierra Nevada Graziers (grass-fed raw milk cheese)
- Recalling firm: Sierra Nevada Cheese Company — Willows, California
- Hazard: E. coli O26:H11, a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure
- Distribution: nationwide through distributors, retailers and direct customers, and online; 5 lb loaves went to food service customers and wholesalers (FDA)
Outbreak status
- Illnesses: 13; hospitalized: 8; HUS: 3; deaths: 0
- States: CA, CO, GA, KY, MI, NV, OR, TN, UT
- Last illness onset: August 26, 2026
- Who got sick: over half are children 5 years old or younger (CDC). All 9 people interviewed ate Graziers raw milk cheese; illnesses are associated with the Medium Cheddar (company announcement).
- Investigation: ongoing (FDA and CDC update of September 25, 2026). Counts can change; the FDA advisory has the latest numbers.
How to check your cheese
Look for the Graziers name and “raw milk” on the label, then match the UPC on an 8 oz square or 16 oz brick. Dates do not matter for this recall. If a store cut and wrapped raw milk cheddar or jack from a larger loaf, ask the store where it came from; FDA says repackaged recalled cheese should not be sold. If you cannot tell, throw it out. For other products, use the lot number recall checker or the FDA food recall checker.
What to do
Do not eat, serve or sell recalled Graziers cheese. Throw it away or return it for a refund, and wash and sanitize surfaces, containers and cutting boards it touched. Call a health care provider right away if anyone who ate it has bloody diarrhea, diarrhea with a fever over 102°F, diarrhea for more than 2 days, vomiting so bad they cannot keep liquids down, or signs of dehydration. Children under 5 are at higher risk of HUS. Company questions: (530) 934-8662, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pacific. This page is not medical advice.
If your item matches: What to do if your item matches — refunds, safe disposal and how to report a problem.
Official sources
- FDA: Sierra Nevada Cheese Company Recalls Graziers Raw Milk Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk — company announcement dated September 28, 2026; published by FDA September 29, 2026.
- FDA: Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O26:H11: Raw Milk Cheese (September 2026)
- CDC: E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Cheese
Related food recalls
- Whole Foods Cabricharme cheese undeclared egg recall
- Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend E. coli recall
- Sprouts recalls September 2026 (E. coli and Salmonella)
- Jalapeño Salmonella recall 2026
- Latest FDA food recalls
FAQ
Is Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese recalled?
Yes. Sierra Nevada Cheese Company of Willows, California, is recalling all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese currently in the market because of possible contamination with E. coli O26:H11, a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The recall covers Monterey Jack, Jalapeño Jack, Medium Cheddar and Sharp Cheddar in 8 oz squares, a 16 oz Medium Cheddar brick, 5 lb loaves and 40 lb cheddar blocks. FDA says the firm agreed to recall on September 24, 2026; the company announcement is dated September 28 and FDA published it September 29, 2026.
Does the lot number or date on my Graziers cheese matter?
No. The company says the investigation has not been narrowed to a specific lot, date code or production date, so every Graziers Raw Milk Cheese product on its list is recalled regardless of date. Match the product name and the UPC or item number.
How many people are sick in the raw milk cheese E. coli outbreak?
As of the FDA and CDC update of September 25, 2026: 13 illnesses, 8 hospitalizations, 3 people with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and no deaths, in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah. The last illness began on August 26, 2026. CDC says over half of the sick people are children 5 years old or younger. All 9 people interviewed reported eating Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese, and the company says illnesses have been associated with Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar. The investigation is ongoing, so counts can change.
Where was Graziers raw milk cheese sold?
FDA says the cheese was sold at retailers nationwide and online. The company says it was distributed nationwide through distributors, retailers and direct customers. FDA says the 5 lb loaves went to food service customers and wholesalers, and that retailers that cut and repackaged recalled cheese should not sell it, so a store-wrapped piece of raw milk cheddar or jack can also be recalled cheese.
Are other Sierra Nevada Cheese Company products recalled?
The company announcement lists only Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products. FDA says its investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether any other products are affected. Check the linked FDA advisory for updates.
What should I do if I have recalled Graziers cheese?
Do not eat or serve it. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. The cheese has a long shelf life, so check your refrigerator and freezer; if you stored cheese without its original package and cannot tell whether it is Graziers, FDA says to throw it away. Wash surfaces and containers it touched. Call a health care provider right away if you ate it and have symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, diarrhea with fever over 102°F, or signs of dehydration. Company questions: (530) 934-8662, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pacific. This page is not medical advice.
Recalled or Not? is an independent search aid and is not affiliated with Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, FDA or CDC. Follow the linked official notices for the latest product list and case counts.