Raw milk cheese recalled after E. coli outbreak sickens 13 people in nine states

Thirteen people in nine states have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese, and eight of them were hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three of the cases involve hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication, according to the CDC’s outbreak notice. No deaths have been reported.

The cheese is sold under the Graziers brand by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company of Willows, California. The company is recalling all of its Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products, according to a Food and Drug Administration notice published Sept. 29.

Who is sick and where

The CDC and FDA, along with public health officials in several states, are investigating the outbreak, which involves E. coli O26:H11. Cases have been reported in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah, ABC News reported.

More than half of the people who became sick are children age 5 and younger, the CDC said. The agency said children under 5 are more likely to get a severe foodborne illness. CIDRAP reported that hemolytic uremic syndrome can cause acute kidney failure.

ABC News reported that all nine patients who have been interviewed said they ate the cheese.

Which products are recalled

The recall covers Graziers raw milk medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack and Monterey jack. The CDC said the cheeses were sold in 8-ounce and 16-ounce retail packages, and in 5-pound loaves for food service customers and wholesalers.

The FDA notice says the products were distributed nationwide through distributors, retailers and direct customers. It says no specific lot, production date or source of contamination has been identified, and that the investigation is ongoing.

In the recall notice, the company said it is recalling all the Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products and has immediately stopped production and shipment. The FDA notice says the cheese may be contaminated with E. coli O26:H11, a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can cause serious infections and bloody diarrhea. In vulnerable people it can lead to potentially fatal complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome, the notice says.

The company also said, as ABC News reported, that it is “incredibly grateful for the trust and support of our customers and community” and appreciates customers’ understanding as it takes what it called a precautionary step.

What officials advise

Consumers who bought the recalled cheese should not eat or serve it. The FDA said they should return it to the place of purchase for a refund or throw it away. The agency also advised retailers to remove the products immediately, ABC News reported.

The CDC advises washing any surfaces that touched the cheese with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody, and vomiting, the CDC said. It advises people to seek medical care right away for bloody diarrhea, a high fever or signs of dehydration.

The CDC advises that children under 5 avoid raw milk products and choose pasteurized alternatives. Raw milk is not pasteurized, a process that kills bacteria and viruses, ABC News reported.

Customers with questions can reach Sierra Nevada Cheese Company at (530) 934-8662, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, or at recallinfo@sierranevadacheese.com, according to the FDA notice.

The CDC listed the investigation as open as of Sept. 25.