Kids Hit Hard In Food Recall Scare

Doctor holding a product recall sign in gloves — Photo: Shutterstock

An E. coli outbreak tied to a popular raw milk cheese brand has sickened 13 people and sent eight to the hospital across nine states.

Quick Take

Federal health officials linked the outbreak to Graziers raw milk cheeses made by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company.
Every patient interviewed so far said they ate the cheese before getting sick.
Three people developed a dangerous kidney complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
More than half of those sickened are children age 5 or younger.
The company recalled all its Graziers raw milk cheese varieties as a precaution.

What Investigators Found So Far

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) say they are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections linked to Graziers raw milk cheeses sold by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company. The agencies identified the strain as E. coli O26:H11, a type that can cause severe stomach illness and kidney damage, especially in young children.

The evidence pointing to the cheese is strong. The FDA reported that all nine patients interviewed so far said they ate Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese before falling ill.

That kind of consistency, with everyone questioned naming the same product, is exactly the pattern health officials look for when tracing a foodborne illness back to its source.

Who Got Sick and Where

Thirteen people across nine states have been confirmed sick, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah.

Eight people needed hospital care. Three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can damage the kidneys and is especially risky for young children and older adults.

CDC data shows more than half of the people sickened are children 5 years old or younger. That detail matters. Young kids have developing immune systems and smaller bodies, which makes them far more vulnerable to E. coli’s toxins. It’s a sobering reminder of why raw dairy products carry extra warnings for families with small children.

The Recall and the Company’s Response

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company initiated a recall on September 25, 2026, covering its Graziers raw milk cheeses in medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack, and Monterey jack varieties.

The recalled products were sold in 8-ounce and 16-ounce packages, as well as 5-pound loaves. The cheese reached both grocery store shelves and restaurant kitchens before the recall took effect.

The company said illnesses were specifically linked to its medium cheddar product, but it chose to voluntarily recall every variety of Graziers Raw Milk Cheese out of caution. That’s a responsible move.

Pulling the whole product line, even when only one variety was flagged, reduces the odds that contaminated cheese stays in someone’s refrigerator while investigators finish their work.

Why Raw Milk Cheese Keeps Showing Up in Outbreaks

This isn’t an isolated case. CDC’s own outbreak records show a steady stream of raw dairy investigations, including a separate Raw Farm cheddar cheese outbreak earlier in 2026.

Public health research has found that unpasteurized milk and cheese make up a tiny slice of what Americans eat and drink, yet they’re tied to the overwhelming majority of illnesses linked to contaminated dairy.

Pasteurization exists for a reason: it kills off harmful bacteria without stripping away the product entirely. Consumers who choose raw milk cheese trade that safety step for a taste and texture some prefer, and outbreaks like this one show what’s at stake when that trade goes wrong, especially for families with young children.

Four varieties of Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses were recalled after being linked to a multi-state E. coli outbreak that has sent at least eight people to the hospital, the Food and Drug Administration reported. https://t.co/ccLxALnQ5o

— FOX 7 Austin (@fox7austin) September 28, 2026

Health officials are urging anyone who bought Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese to check their fridge and throw it out or return it. The investigation remains active, and the case count could still change as more states report illnesses tied to the same strain.