Federal investigators closed an E. coli outbreak linked to Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese on Nov. 13. The FDA says people should still check their refrigerators and freezers because the recalled cheese has a long shelf life. The agency counted 18 illnesses across 10 states, including nine hospitalizations. No deaths were reported.
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company began the nationwide recall on Sept. 24. The November report gives the final case count and adds laboratory findings. The same recalled products should still be thrown away or returned to the store.
Which packages to check
Look for Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese. The company’s recall notice lists these five retail packages:
| Cheese | Package | UPC |
|---|---|---|
| Monterey Jack | 8 oz square | 6-87652-16400-9 |
| Jalapeño Jack | 8 oz square | 6-87652-16403-0 |
| Medium Cheddar | 8 oz square | 6-87652-16506-8 |
| Sharp Cheddar | 8 oz square | 6-87652-16507-5 |
| Medium Cheddar | 16 oz brick | 6-87652-16501-3 |
The original recall notice also lists four 5-pound loaves sold to food service customers and wholesalers. Their item numbers are 6425 for Monterey Jack, 6426 for Jalapeño Jack, 6510 for Medium Cheddar and 6511 for Sharp Cheddar. It also lists 40-pound cheddar blocks under item numbers 6515 and 6516. The company did not limit the recall to a particular lot, date code or production date. Check the recall notice’s package photos if you still have the wrapper.
What to do with cheese you still have
The FDA’s final investigation says to discard or return recalled cheese for a refund. If you refrigerated or froze a portion without its wrapper and cannot tell whether it was recalled, throw it away. The CDC says to wash items and surfaces that touched the cheese with hot soapy water or in a dishwasher where appropriate. Food businesses should remove recalled cheese from sale, including portions they repackaged. The FDA advises people who ate recalled cheese and have symptoms of an E. coli infection to contact a health care provider immediately.
Investigators found the outbreak strain in opened Medium Cheddar samples from California. A Michigan sample tested positive for a different E. coli strain. All 15 people whom investigators interviewed reported eating Graziers raw milk cheese. The last known illness began Sept. 20.
