FOOD OUTBREAK RECALL — HEALTH & READER SERVICE

Do not eat it. Sierra Nevada Graziers raw-milk cheese is recalled.

The recall covers all four Graziers raw-milk cheese varieties sold nationwide and online. Check the refrigerator and freezer, return or discard a match and clean anything it touched.

This is an outbreak recall—not a precaution without illnesses

FDA and CDC are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 linked to the recalled cheese. As of September 25, the federal case count lists 13 illnesses, eight hospitalizations, three cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome and no deaths. All nine people interviewed about what they ate reported consuming Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw-milk cheese.

CDC says more than half of the people who became sick are children age 5 or younger. The listed cases are in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah. No New York case—and no Rockland purchase or illness—is confirmed in the current federal record. Nationwide retail and online distribution create the local action: Rockland households should still check what they bought.

There is no published lot-code shortcut

FDA says Sierra Nevada Cheese Company recalled all Graziers raw-milk cheeses after the agency recommended a recall on September 24. The current notice does not limit the action to one lot, date or store.

If cheese was refrigerated or frozen without its original packaging and you cannot tell whether it is part of this recall, FDA says to throw it away. Retailers that repackaged recalled cheese for individual sale should remove it from the market.

Clean what the cheese touched

After returning or discarding a match, carefully clean and sanitize containers, refrigerator drawers, shelves, utensils and other surfaces it touched. FDA warns that this step reduces the risk of cross-contamination; CDC advises hot soapy water or a dishwasher where appropriate.

Know when to call a healthcare provider

FDA says symptoms can begin a few days after eating contaminated food or as many as nine days later. Possible symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. Some infections can cause bloody diarrhea or hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially life-threatening form of kidney failure.

CDC says to call a healthcare provider right away for diarrhea with fever higher than 102°F, diarrhea lasting more than two days without improvement, bloody diarrhea, vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down or signs of dehydration such as reduced urination, a dry mouth and throat, or dizziness when standing. FDA says anyone who ate the recalled cheese and has symptoms should contact a healthcare provider immediately.

What changes for a resident: check refrigerators and freezers for Sierra Nevada Graziers medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack or Monterey jack; do not eat a match, return or discard it, and clean everything it touched.

Primary sources: the FDA outbreak investigation ↗ and CDC outbreak notice ↗, both updated September 25, 2026. Product names, sizes, nationwide and online distribution, recall scope, return and disposal guidance, cleaning instructions, symptom window, case counts and care guidance were rechecked September 26, 2026, at 11:50 a.m. EDT. The investigation is ongoing. No New York case, Rockland sale, purchase or illness is confirmed in the current federal record.