WILLOWS, CALIFORNIA — Sierra Nevada Cheese Company initiated a voluntary recall of all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese on Sept. 25, 2026. An E. coli outbreak linked to the cheese has sickened 13 people across nine states as of Sept. 25, 2026. "This action is being taken due to reported illnesses associated with Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar," Sierra Nevada Cheese Company said.

"At this time, the investigation has not been narrowed down to a specific lot or date code," the company said. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are expanding the recall to include all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese," it said.

The recall includes Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Jalapeño Jack, and Monterey Jack cheeses. The recalled products include retail packages and loaves sold to wholesalers and food service customers. The recalled cheese was sold at retailers nationwide, online, and to wholesalers and food service customers.

Eight people were hospitalized due to the outbreak. Three people were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of E. coli infection. More than half of the individuals sickened in the outbreak are age 5 or younger. Illnesses related to the outbreak began between July 7, 2026, and Aug. 26, 2026.

Cases have been detected in nine states, with the majority in California and Nevada. California recorded three cases related to the outbreak. The company is based in Willows, California.

Why It Matters

The Graziers Raw Milk Cheese recall in September 2026 marks a raw milk cheese-related outbreak linked to the company. In August 2025, California’s State Veterinarian ordered a statewide recall and quarantine of Sierra Nevada’s Bella Capra raw goat milk cheddar after Listeria monocytogenes was detected in the cheese.

The FDA and CDC noted that 100% of 9 interviewed outbreak victims reported consuming Sierra Nevada Graziers Raw Milk Cheese prior to illness, confirming the link between the product and the outbreak. The 2026 E. coli outbreak linked to Sierra Nevada Graziers Raw Milk Cheese involved 13 cases across nine states, with 8 hospitalizations and 3 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, per FDA and CDC reports. Testing of aged raw milk cheeses found pathogens in samples, including E. coli and Listeria, despite the 60-day aging requirement for interstate sale.

Timeline

On September 24, 2026, FDA contacted the firm to notify them about this outbreak and recommend they conduct a recall.

The company, LCC is working with the FDA and that same day agreed to and initiated a re.

What's New

The company was founded in 1997 and relocated to Willows, California, in 2003, operating out of a historic creamery built in 1958 by local farmers.

The FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation network confirmed a March 2026 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to raw cheddar cheese from Raw Farm, LLC, which had a similar 2024 outbreak and FDA Form 483 violations.

How Sources Differ

Regarding sierra nevada, Sierra Nevada Cheese Company stated, "Sierra Nevada Cheese Company is voluntarily recalling all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese currently on the market."

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company stated, "Consumers should not consume any Graziers Raw Milk Cheese currently in their refrigerator and should dispose of the product."