WASHINGTON, DC — Federal health officials have closed their investigation into a multistate E. coli outbreak tied to Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese. The CDC has declared the outbreak over after 18 illnesses were reported in 10 states, including nine hospitalizations and three cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
The FDA said the recalled cheeses should no longer be on sale, but consumers may still have them at home because the product has a long shelf life. The agency is urging people to check refrigerators and freezers for the recalled cheese, throw it away, or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
Illnesses were reported across 10 states and all interviewed patients ate the cheese
According to the FDA and CDC, illnesses began between July 7, 2026, and September 20, 2026. Cases were reported in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah.
Public health officials interviewed 15 of the 18 ill people or their caregivers about foods eaten before they got sick. Every one of those 15 people said they had consumed Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese. That strong common link led investigators to focus on the cheese as the outbreak vehicle.
The outbreak did not result in any deaths, but the illness count and hospitalizations show how serious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections can be. FDA said the investigation was conducted with CDC and state and local partners.
California and Michigan testing found contaminated cheese from consumers’ homes
State partners collected samples of Sierra Nevada cheeses from homes of people who became sick. The California Department of Public Health tested an opened sample of Sierra Nevada Graziers raw medium cheddar cheese and found E. coli that matched the outbreak strain through whole genome sequencing.
Michigan officials also collected an opened sample of Sierra Nevada Graziers raw medium cheddar cheese from a consumer’s home. Testing by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services found E. coli in that sample as well, though it was a different strain.
Both samples were part of Sierra Nevada’s Graziers recall. FDA said those products should no longer be for sale and reminded consumers that any cheese without original packaging, especially if it had been refrigerated or frozen, should be discarded if it cannot be identified as recalled product.
What consumers should do with recalled Sierra Nevada Graziers cheese
FDA says consumers, restaurants, retailers, and food service buyers who purchased or received the recalled raw milk cheese should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that touched it. That is meant to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from the recalled product.
The agency also told retailers that repackaged the cheese for individual sale not to sell it and to remove it from the market. Consumers who ate the recalled cheese and now have symptoms of E. coli infection are being advised to contact a health care provider right away.
People should not rely on smell or appearance to judge whether the cheese is safe. Because the product has a long shelf life, FDA specifically warned that it may still be in household storage even though the recall has been in place.
Symptoms can start days after exposure and may turn severe
FDA says symptoms of E. coli infection can begin a few days after eating contaminated food or as long as nine days later. Common signs include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Some infections can become much more serious. The agency warned that certain E. coli strains can cause bloody diarrhea and can lead to HUS, a type of kidney failure. HUS can also be associated with high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.
Those risks help explain why health officials are urging prompt medical care for anyone who ate the recalled cheese and later becomes ill. Even if symptoms seem mild at first, FDA says consumers should speak with a provider immediately.
FDA says the outbreak investigation is closed but the recall reached retailers nationwide
FDA said its outbreak investigation has closed now that CDC has declared the event over. The recalled cheeses were sold at retail nationwide and online, and FDA said they were also available to food service customers and wholesalers in 5-pound loaves.
The recalled products included medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeno jack, and Monterey jack varieties sold in 8-ounce or 16-ounce packages for retail shoppers. The agency also said the affected cheese was distributed to the Republic of Korea.
Officials continue to stress that recalled product should not be eaten, sold, or served. For households, the key step is to check for Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese, discard it if found, and seek a refund from the place of purchase if possible.
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