FDA Links Four Sierra Nevada Graziers Cheeses to E. coli Outbreak
The FDA has linked four Sierra Nevada Cheese Company Graziers raw-milk cheeses to an E. coli O26:H11 outbreak. Do not eat, taste, or serve any of the affected cheeses. Check your refrigerator and freezer, then follow the FDA’s instructions to return or discard a matching product and clean and sanitize anything it touched.
The agencies’ updates dated September 25, 2026, say the cheeses were sold nationwide and online in retail packages and wholesale loaves. Check labels against the FDA advisory, which provides the product identifiers shoppers should use.
Which cheeses to check
The affected products are:
- Graziers grass-fed raw-milk medium cheddar
- Graziers grass-fed raw-milk sharp cheddar
- Graziers grass-fed raw-milk jalapeno jack
- Graziers grass-fed raw-milk Monterey jack
Look for these names on retail packages and on any wholesale loaves you may have. If you are unsure whether a package matches, do not eat it while checking the details in the FDA notice. The outbreak information applies to these named products; it does not mean that all raw-milk cheese is affected.
Reported outbreak impact
In its September 25 update, the FDA reported 13 illnesses across nine states, including eight hospitalizations and three cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths had been reported. The CDC said more than half of the cases were in children age five or younger.
These are the agencies’ figures at the time of their updates, and the investigation is ongoing. The agencies may revise the information as they learn more.
What to do at home
- Check your fridge and freezer. Look for all four named cheeses, including retail packages and wholesale loaves. Use the package information in the FDA advisory to help identify affected products.
- Do not taste or serve the cheese. A small taste is not a way to determine whether a product is safe.
- Return or discard it. Follow the FDA’s instructions for handling an affected product. If you discard it, keep it away from people and animals.
- Clean and sanitize. Clean and sanitize surfaces, containers, and other items the cheese may have touched. Check the FDA notice for any specific handling instructions.
For current product identifiers and consumer guidance, consult the FDA advisory before deciding whether a package is affected. The CDC’s investigation page also tracks the outbreak. Until the investigation is complete, keep the named cheeses out of meals and follow any new instructions from public health officials.
