FDA Issues Highest-Risk Warning for Graziers Raw Milk Cheese Recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its highest-risk warning for certain Graziers raw milk cheese products. This action follows a multi-state E. coli outbreak that has affected 13 individuals, hospitalizing eight of them.

Class I Recall of Graziers Cheese Products

The recall, classified as Class I, is the FDA’s most serious as it suggests that consuming the affected products could result in serious health issues or death. The recall includes Monterey Jack, jalapeño jack, medium cheddar, and sharp cheddar varieties produced by the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company in California.

The recall covers products sold in retail packaging as well as those supplied in larger formats to food-service providers and wholesalers. Consumers are advised not to consume the recalled cheese. The distribution of these products was concentrated in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. The company announced the voluntary recall on September 28.

E. coli Outbreak Details

This outbreak is linked to the Escherichia coli O26 strain, known for producing Shiga toxin, which can result in severe illness. As of September 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that among the 13 affected, eight required hospitalization and three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure. No fatalities were reported. More than half of those infected were children aged 5 or younger.

The CDC noted that all nine individuals questioned about their food consumption before falling ill had eaten Graziers raw milk cheese. Genetic testing confirmed that bacteria from those infected shared close similarities, indicating a single source.

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company was contacted for a comment but has not yet responded.

Broader Foodborne Illness Investigations

This incident comes among several foodborne illness investigations this year involving various pathogens like Cyclospora, Salmonella, and Listeria.

Cyclospora Surge

One of the most significant occurrences involved Cyclospora, responsible for cyclosporiasis. Between May 1 and August 31, 2026, 19,883 cases were recorded, a substantial increase from the 1,180 cases reported during the same period in 2025. This surge included 1,064 hospitalizations and two fatalities. The majority of these cases linked to an outbreak from iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico.

Salmonella Concerns

Salmonella outbreaks have also prompted recalls this year, affecting products like jalapeño peppers and raw oysters. One outbreak was associated with imported jalapeño peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico, leading to 488 reported illnesses across 34 states. Investigation showed the peppers might have been contaminated with Salmonella Javiana.

Symptoms of Salmonella often include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. While most recover without needing specific treatment, young children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems might face more severe outcomes.

Listeria Risks

Listeria has triggered significant safety actions, such as an outbreak linked to Clover Hill Dairy’s soft cheese. This outbreak resulted in 15 cases across four states, with 14 people hospitalized and one fatality reported.

Listeria infections can lead to fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal distress, and serious complications, especially in vulnerable groups including pregnant women and the elderly. The Sierra Nevada recall pertains to E. coli in raw milk cheese, whereas the Clover Hill case involved Listeria in soft cheese.

Decline in Food Safety Confidence

Recent surveys indicate a decline in American consumers’ confidence in the safety of food available in grocery stores and the federal government’s ability to safeguard the food supply. A Gallup survey found 65 percent of adults felt secure about grocery-bought food, a drop from previous years. Furthermore, only 47 percent had confidence in the government’s food safety measures.

The survey, conducted with 1,000 adults between September 1 and 17, displayed a margin of error of 4 percentage points. Additionally, 73 percent reported avoiding certain foods after a recall or government warning, a rise from 53 percent in 2024.