Sierra Nevada Cheese Company Recalls All Graziers Raw Milk Cheese Over E. coli Risk

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company of Willows, California, is voluntarily recalling all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese currently on the market due to potential contamination with Escherichia coli O26:H11.

The bacteria is a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the recall notice.

E. coli O26:H11 can cause acute diarrheal illness, often with bloody stools, within a few days of ingesting the bacteria. Most people recover within a week, but a subset of infected individuals — especially children under 5, the elderly, and immunocompromised people — may develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe illness marked by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and renal failure. HUS can lead to death.

The investigation has not been narrowed to a specific lot, date code, or production date. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is recalling all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products currently in distribution.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide through distributors, retailers, and direct customers.