E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese leads to 13 illnesses and eight hospitalizations across the US: FDA

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1. 1h ago

   E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Cheese

   A multistate E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese has sickened 13 people across nine states, leading to eight hospitalizations. Federal agencies including the CDC and FDA are actively investigating the infections tied to specific cheddar and jack varieties produced by the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company under the Sierra Nevada Graziers brand. Health officials report that over half of the affected individuals are children aged five and younger. Consumers are urged to check their homes for the recalled products because of their long shelf life, and to discard or return them.

   Why it matters

   The outbreak highlights ongoing public health vulnerabilities tied to unpasteurized dairy products, which can harbor dangerous pathogens like E. coli O26:H11. Local jurisdictions such as San Diego County have issued explicit health warnings to alert the public. Because the recalled items feature extended shelf lives, federal authorities worry consumers may still have contaminated cheese stored in refrigerators.

   What is confirmed

   • A multistate E. coli O26:H11 outbreak linked to raw milk cheese has sickened 13 people across nine states.
   • The outbreak has resulted in eight hospitalizations.
   • Affected states include California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah.
   • The recalled cheeses are Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheddar and jack varieties sold by the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company.
   • Over half of the sick individuals in the outbreak are children aged five years and younger.

   What to watch next

   • Updates from the CDC and FDA regarding additional illness reports or geographic spread
   • Further retail recall announcements concerning Sierra Nevada Cheese Company products
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese brand: CDC, FDA
   2. DC News Now — Raw milk cheese recalled over E. coli outbreak, FDA says
   3. nbcsandiego.com — San Diego County issues health warning over recalled cheese
   4. Fox Business — E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese leads to 13 illnesses and eight hospitalizations across the US: FDA
   5. New York Post — E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese hits California with multiple cases
   6. kare11.com — Multistate E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese sickens 13 people
   7. www.fda.gov — Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O26:H11: Raw Milk Cheese (September 2026) | FDA
   8. www.foxbusiness.com — E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese leads to 13 illnesses and eight hospitalizations across the US....
   9. www.usatoday.com — E. coli outbreak linked to raw cheese. See recalled products
   10. www.cbsnews.com — Georgian sickened in E. coli outbreak connected with California company's raw milk cheese
   11. www.cdc.gov — E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Cheese | E. coli ...
   12. www.cdc.gov — Investigation Update: E. coli Outbreak, September 2026
   confidence 100%