A raw-milk cheese recall reaches every Graziers variety—and could still be in your freezer

The recall is wider than one cheese or lot

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recalled all Graziers raw-milk cheese still in distribution after federal investigators linked the products to a multistate E. coli outbreak. fda +1 The FDA posted its recall notice on Sept. 29, following the company’s Sept. 25 recall. fda +1 It covers medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack and Monterey jack—not one flavor or a specified batch. fda +1 The cheeses were sold nationwide, including online, and some larger blocks went to food-service and wholesale buyers. today +1

As of the CDC’s Sept. 25 update, 13 people in nine states had become ill; eight were hospitalized; three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can damage the kidneys. fda +1 More than half the patients were younger than 5. cdc +1 Reported illness onsets ran from July 7 through Aug. 26. cdc +1 Those counts are a snapshot, not a final total: the investigation is ongoing. fda +1

Check the refrigerator, not just the shelf

The recall includes retail packs—mostly 8-ounce pieces, plus 16-ounce medium cheddar—and larger food-service loaves and blocks. fda +1 The FDA says the cheese has a long shelf life, so recalled packages may remain in refrigerators or freezers long after purchase. fda +1 Because officials have not narrowed the outbreak to a particular lot, checking only a date code is not enough to rule out a Graziers product. fda +1 Hawaiʻi’s health department renewed the warning Oct. 2, noting the nationwide products could still be in home refrigerators and freezers; it reported no cases in the state at that time. newsnationnow +1

Do not eat or serve any recalled Graziers raw-milk cheese. fda +1 Return it to the store for a refund or discard it. fda +1 If it has been removed from its package and you cannot tell whether it is covered, federal guidance is to throw it away. fda +1 California’s recall listing likewise identifies all Graziers grass-fed raw-milk cheeses. cdph +1 The CDC and FDA say the investigation remains active. fda +1

What investigators know—and don’t

All nine people interviewed in the outbreak reported eating Graziers raw-milk cheese before becoming ill, an epidemiological link that supports the recall. fda +1 But investigators have not identified a specific lot, production date or source of contamination. fda +1 That distinction matters: the recall is precautionary across the brand’s raw-milk cheeses still on the market, not evidence that every individual package tested positive. cidrap +1

Raw milk is unpasteurized, and the CDC advises consumers not to eat the recalled products. fda +1 With young children representing more than half of reported cases, the practical step is to check the brand and varieties in the fridge or freezer now, then follow the return-or-discard instructions. cdc +1