Sierra Nevada recalls raw milk cheeses after E. coli outbreak sickens 13

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company is recalling all Graziers raw milk cheeses nationwide after the CDC and FDA linked the products to an ongoing E. coli outbreak. The company said illnesses were associated with its medium cheddar, but it is recalling all Graziers raw milk cheese because investigators have not identified a specific lot or date code.

As of Sept. 25, 13 people in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah had become ill, according to reports. Eight were hospitalized and three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of E. coli infection. More than half of those sickened were children aged 5 or younger. All nine people interviewed by investigators reported eating the cheese.

The recall includes medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack and Monterey jack, sold in 8-ounce and 16-ounce packages and 5-pound food-service loaves. The FDA advises consumers not to eat the recalled cheese and to throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.