Cheese recalled nationwide after 8 people hospitalized from E. coli outbreak: Full list of products to avoid
A series of raw milk cheeses have been recalled due to potential E. coli contamination after 13 people were sickened, including eight who required hospitalization.
California-based Sierra Nevada Cheese Company said it is recalling all of its Grazier Raw Milk Cheese products following an outbreak investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As of the Tuesday, September 29, recall notice, illnesses have been reported in nine states: California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah.
The E. coli O26:H11 strand is a type of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can cause serious and even fatal infections in vulnerable populations. Here’s what you need to know about the recalled Grazier Raw Milk Cheese.
What products are affected?
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company is unsure which lot, date code, and production dates are at risk of E. coli contamination. As a result, the company is recalling all of its Grazier Raw Milk Cheese:
Graziers Raw Milk Monterey Jack
- 8 oz square; UPC 6-87652-16400-9
- 5 lb loaf; Item 6425
Graziers Raw Milk Jalapeño Jack
- 8 oz square; UPC 6-87652-16403-0
- 5 lb loaf; Item 6426
Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar
- 8 oz square; UPC 6-87652-16506-8
- 16 oz brick; UPC 6-87652-16501-3
- 5 lb loaf; Item 6510
Graziers Raw Milk Sharp Cheddar
- 8 oz square; UPC 6-87652-16507-5
- 5 lb loaf; Item 6511
Graziers Raw Milk Cheddar
- 40 lb block; Items 6515 and 6516
Where and when was the product sold?
All we know as of now is that the product was sold at retailers nationwide and online. The FDA’s outbreak notice did not identify specific retailers.
What should I do if I have this product?
The Sierra Nevada Cheese Company cautions that you shouldn’t eat any of the recalled cheese. Instead, you can dispose of it or return it to your point of purchase for a refund.
What E. coli symptoms should I look out for?
Exposure to E. coli O26:H11 can cause a diarrheal illness within a few days of ingestion.
In most cases, people feel better within a week, according to the FDA. However, children under five, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals can experience more serious, or even fatal, risks from E. coli O26:H11 exposure.
They are at risk of developing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal disease that involves red cell breakdown, low platelet count, and renal failure.
According to the FDA, three known people sickened by this outbreak have developed HUS.
Immediately reach out to a medical professional if you or anyone else develops symptoms of an E. coli O26:H11 infection.