Raw Milk Cheese Recall

Raw Milk Cheese E. Coli Outbreak Sickens 13 and Hospitalizes Eight

Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26:H11 linked to Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese, with 13 reported illnesses across nine states, eight hospitalizations and no deaths. Three people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially serious kidney complication, and more than half of those sickened were age 5 or younger. The company recalled its medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack and Monterey jack cheeses, sold nationwide in retail packages and larger food-service blocks. All nine people interviewed by health officials said they had eaten the cheese before becoming ill; the investigation into the contamination and any additional affected products is ongoing. Consumers should not eat, sell or serve the recalled cheese, should check refrigerators and freezers and discard any affected or unidentifiable product, and should clean surfaces or containers it may have touched.

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