San Diego County Warns Against Sierra Nevada Raw Cheese in Multi-State E. Coli Outbreak

Key points

• Sierra Nevada Graziers, based in Willows, California, voluntarily recalled four types of grass-fed raw milk cheese on September 24, 2026.
• The recalled products include medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeno jack, and Monterey jack, sold in 8-ounce and 16-ounce retail packages and 5-pound loaves for food service.
• Health officials have identified 13 E. coli cases across ten states, with three cases each in California and Nevada, and single cases in Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Michigan.
• Two of the California cases occurred in San Diego County, involving children under five years old; the average age of all 13 patients is five.
• Eight individuals have been hospitalized, and three have developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe condition that can lead to kidney failure, according to the CDC.
• San Diego County Public Health Officer Sayone Thihalolipavan emphasized that raw milk products can carry dangerous bacteria, posing severe risks to young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

Background

This incident follows a similar E. coli outbreak in March 2026 linked to Raw Farm’s cheddar cheese, which affected nine people across three states, including seven in California. San Diego County has also recently dealt with other public health and safety issues, including a Salmonella outbreak involving Happy Hens eggs in Ramona and an extreme heat warning in early September. The current outbreak highlights ongoing risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products.

How outlets are covering it

NBC 7 San Diego focuses on the local impact, highlighting the two cases in San Diego County and the specific advice from county health officials to discard the cheese. The New York Post provides a broader national perspective, noting that the outbreak has spread across nine states (though NBC lists ten) and emphasizing the severity of the medical outcomes, including hospitalizations and HUS cases. Both sources agree on the voluntary recall by Sierra Nevada Graziers and the specific products involved, but the New York Post additionally references a previous E. coli outbreak in March involving a different California company, providing historical context for raw milk safety concerns.

Why it matters

The outbreak underscores the significant health risks associated with consuming raw milk products, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children. The widespread nature of the recall and the severity of the symptoms, including kidney failure, necessitate immediate action by consumers to prevent further illness. It also highlights the effectiveness of epidemiological tracking in identifying and containing foodborne illness outbreaks across multiple states.

What to watch

Consumers are urged to check their pantries for any Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese and discard it immediately. Health officials recommend washing any surfaces or items that may have come into contact with the recalled products using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher. The FDA and CDC will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new cases are reported or investigated.