Sierra Nevada Cheese Company Recalls Graziers Raw Milk Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk

Last updated: September 29, 2026

Quick Answer: The Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recalls Graziers raw milk cheese because of possible health risk tied to E. coli O26:H11 contamination. All four Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese varieties have been pulled from shelves nationwide. Consumers should not eat any recalled product and should discard it or return it for a refund.

Key Takeaways

• Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recalled all Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses on September 25, 2026, after the FDA contacted the company on September 24, 2026 about an active outbreak [2].
• The outbreak is linked to E. coli O26:H11, a Shiga toxin-producing strain capable of causing serious foodborne illness [2].
• At least 13 people across 9 states have been reported sick, according to CDC and FDA data [1][5].
• Four cheese varieties are recalled: Medium Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Jalapeño Jack, and Monterey Jack [1][2][3].
• Products were sold nationwide in 8-oz and 16-oz retail packages and 5-lb food-service loaves [2][7].
• High-risk groups including young children, older adults, pregnant people, and immunocompromised individuals face the greatest danger, including risk of HUS [1][5].
• Do not eat, serve, or sell any Graziers raw milk cheese; throw it away or return it to the store for a refund [2][5].
• The investigation remains ongoing as of late September 2026 [4].

What Happened: Sierra Nevada Cheese Company Graziers Recall Explained

The Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recalls Graziers raw milk cheese because of possible health risk connected to a multistate E. coli O26:H11 outbreak. The FDA contacted the Nevada cheese company on September 24, 2026, recommended a voluntary recall, and the company agreed the same day [2][7]. The formal recall was initiated on September 25, 2026, covering all Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses currently in commerce [2].

Sierra Nevada Graziers markets its products as premium, grass-fed raw milk cheeses. Because investigators had not yet narrowed the outbreak to a specific lot or date code, the company chose to recall all Graziers raw milk cheese on the market out of an abundance of caution [6][12]. This broad approach is standard practice during early outbreak investigations when traceability data are incomplete [2][4].

The outbreak investigation, tracked under the designation E. coli O26:H11 Raw Milk Cheese September 2026, remains active. Federal and state agencies are still working to pinpoint the contamination source [4][5].

Which Graziers Cheese Products Are Affected

Four specific Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese varieties are subject to this recall. All are sold under the Sierra Nevada Graziers brand and were distributed both to retail consumers and to food-service and wholesale customers [1][2][3].

Recalled products:

• Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar
• Graziers Raw Milk Sharp Cheddar
• Graziers Raw Milk Jalapeño Jack
• Graziers Raw Milk Monterey Jack

Retail packages came in 8-oz and 16-oz sizes. Food-service and wholesale customers received 5-lb loaves [2][7][8]. The recall applies to all lot numbers and all date codes because investigators have not identified a single batch as the sole source [2][6]. Consumers should search their refrigerators and freezers for any of these products regardless of purchase date.

Health Risks From Graziers Raw Milk Cheese: E. coli O26:H11 Details

E. coli O26:H11 is a Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli that can cause severe foodborne illness. Symptoms of E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting, typically beginning 3 to 4 days after consuming contaminated food [1][5].

Most people recover within a week, but serious complications are possible. The CDC specifically flags hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a risk, particularly for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems [1][5][9]. HUS can lead to kidney failure and is life-threatening. As of late September 2026, at least 13 people in 9 states have been reported sick in connection with this outbreak [5].

Seek care for these symptoms immediately if you have eaten recalled cheese:

• Bloody diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
• High fever above 102°F
• Vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down
• Signs of dehydration (little or no urination, dry mouth, dizziness)

Contact a health care provider right away if these symptoms appear. Inform your provider about the recalled cheese products you consumed [2][5].

Who Should Avoid Raw Milk Cheese Products

Anyone who has purchased Graziers raw milk cheeses should not eat them. The FDA and CDC are especially clear that high-risk groups must avoid all recalled raw milk cheeses entirely [1][4][5].

Raw milk cheeses carry a higher inherent risk than pasteurized cheeses because the milk used to make them has not been heat-treated to kill bacteria like E. coli [2][9]. Even aged raw milk cheese can harbor pathogens. People who should always exercise caution about raw milk cheese include:

• Children under 5 years old
• Adults 65 and older
• Pregnant individuals
• People with weakened immune systems due to illness or medication

Food safety experts and public health authorities consistently advise these groups to choose pasteurized alternatives [9][12].

How to Check and What to Do With Recalled Graziers Cheese

Consumers should check all refrigerators and freezers for any Graziers raw milk cheese products, including Medium Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Jalapeño Jack, and Monterey Jack [2][5][11]. Because these cheeses have a long shelf life, products purchased weeks ago may still be present in homes and pose a risk [12].

Steps to take:

1. Search your refrigerator and freezer for any Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese.
2. Do not taste the cheese to determine if it is safe.
3. Throw the cheese away in a sealed bag in a covered trash can, or return it to the store where you bought it.
4. Wash your hands and any surfaces or containers that touched the cheese with hot soapy water.
5. Contact the retailer about a refund or replacement [3][7][11].

Retailers, wholesalers, and food-service establishments should remove all Graziers raw milk cheeses from sale and service immediately and offer refunds or replacements to customers who return recalled products [3][7][8][10].

Current Status: FDA Statement and Ongoing Outbreak Investigation

As of September 29, 2026, the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recalls Graziers raw milk cheese because of possible health risk, and the recall remains fully in effect with no end date announced [2][4]. The FDA outbreak investigation page confirms the strain as E. coli O26:H11 and links it directly to the Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses [2].

The CDC case count map shows illnesses spread across multiple regions of the United States [5]. Federal and state public health agencies continue to investigate the contamination source. No specific lot numbers have been cleared as safe, so the full recall stands [2][4][6].

For the latest information, consumers and health care providers should check the FDA outbreak investigation page and the CDC outbreak index regularly [1][2].

Similar Raw Milk Cheese Outbreaks and the Broader Food Safety Context

This recall is not an isolated event. Outbreaks linked to raw milk cheeses have been documented repeatedly in the United States, reinforcing longstanding public health concerns about unpasteurized dairy products [9][10]. The FDA and CDC maintain resources on outbreaks and foodborne illness investigations to help consumers and health professionals track these events [1][2][4].

Industry observers note that the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recall is another high-profile example of the liability and reputational risks associated with raw dairy products [9][10]. Investigations of foodborne illness outbreaks tied to raw milk cheeses typically require broad recalls because contamination is difficult to isolate to a single production run without extensive laboratory tracing [2][6].

Consumers searching for safe alternatives to Graziers cheese should look for pasteurized cheddar, pasteurized Monterey Jack, or other pasteurized milk cheeses from reputable producers. These products undergo heat treatment that eliminates E. coli and other dangerous pathogens [9].

Contact Information and Resources

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Sierra Nevada Cheese Company directly or reach out to the FDA and CDC for public health guidance [2][5][7]. The FDA’s outbreak investigation page provides updated information as the investigation progresses [2].

Useful links for consumers and health care providers:

• FDA Outbreak Investigation: E. coli O26:H11 Raw Milk Cheese September 2026 [2]
• CDC E. coli Outbreak Index Page [1]
• CDC Outbreak Locations and Case Counts [5]
• CDC Outbreak Investigation Details [4]

For medical emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency health questions, contact your local or state public health department or a health care provider.

FAQ

Has Cracker Barrel cheese been recalled?

As of September 2026, there is no active recall of Cracker Barrel-branded cheese products. The current major cheese recall in the United States involves Graziers raw milk cheeses made by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, linked to an E. coli O26:H11 outbreak. Consumers should check the FDA’s current recall database for the most up-to-date information on any food products.

What’s the unhealthiest cheese to eat?

No single cheese is universally the unhealthiest, but cheeses highest in saturated fat and sodium, such as processed cheese spreads and full-fat triple-cream varieties, are generally considered less healthy in large amounts. From a food safety standpoint, raw milk cheeses carry a higher risk of contamination with pathogens like E. coli compared with pasteurized cheeses, making them particularly risky for vulnerable populations.

Has Velveeta cheese been recalled?

As of September 2026, Velveeta cheese has not been recalled. The active cheese recall affecting consumers in the United States is the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recall of all Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses due to possible E. coli O26:H11 contamination. Always verify current recall status through the FDA’s official recall database at fda.gov.

What cheeses are on the recall list for 2026?

The most significant cheese recall in 2026 involves all Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese products from Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, including Medium Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Jalapeño Jack, and Monterey Jack. These products were recalled on September 25, 2026, due to possible E. coli O26:H11 contamination linked to a multistate outbreak affecting at least 13 people across 9 states.

Conclusion

The Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recalls Graziers raw milk cheese because of possible health risk from E. coli O26:H11, a serious and potentially life-threatening pathogen. With at least 13 people sick across 9 states and the investigation still ongoing as of September 29, 2026, this is an active public health emergency that demands immediate action from consumers, retailers, and food-service operators alike.

Actionable next steps:

• Check your refrigerator and freezer now for any Graziers raw milk cheese products.
• Discard all recalled products in a sealed bag or return them to the store for a refund.
• Wash all surfaces and containers that may have contacted the cheese.
• Monitor for symptoms of E. coli infection and contact a health care provider immediately if symptoms appear.
• Follow FDA and CDC updates on the outbreak investigation at the links provided above.
• If you are in a high-risk group, avoid all raw milk cheeses and choose pasteurized alternatives.

Staying informed and acting quickly are the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family during any foodborne illness outbreak.

References

[1] Index – https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/raw-milk-cheese-09-26/index.html

[2] Outbreak Investigation E Coli O26h11 Raw Milk Cheese September 2026 – https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o26h11-raw-milk-cheese-september-2026

[3] usatoday – https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/consumer-protection/recalls-alerts/2026/09/28/raw-cheese-recall-e-coli-outbreak-fda-cdc/91982767007/

[4] Investigation – https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/raw-milk-cheese-09-26/investigation.html

[5] Locations – https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/raw-milk-cheese-09-26/locations.html

[6] Story – https://abcnews.com/GMA/News/coli-outbreak-linked-raw-milk-cheese-brand-cdc/story?id=136766868

[7] Cheese Recall E Coli Sierra Nevada Graziers Raw Milk Outbreak States Rcna600278 – https://www.today.com/health/recall/cheese-recall-e-coli-sierra-nevada-graziers-raw-milk-outbreak-states-rcna600278

[8] Pxr57gr3yjalbbqndw5ioaw6qi – https://www.kiro7.com/news/consumer/recall-alert-sierra-nevada-raw-milk-cheese-linked-e-coli-outbreak/PXR57GR3YJALBBQNDW5IOAW6QI/

[9] Graziers Raw Milk Cheese Ecoli Recall Hus 479160 – https://www.medicaldaily.com/graziers-raw-milk-cheese-ecoli-recall-hus-479160

[10] Sierra Nevada Raw Milk Cheese Recalled Linked E Coli Outbreak – https://www.fox9.com/news/sierra-nevada-raw-milk-cheese-recalled-linked-e-coli-outbreak