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

Summary

Company Announcement

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company of Willows, California, is voluntarily recalling all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese currently in the market because due to potential contamination with Escherichia coli O26:H11 (E. coli O26:H11).

E. coli O26:H11 is a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. E. coli O26:H11 can cause acute diarrheal illness (often with bloody stools) within a few days of ingestion of the bacteria. Most people recover within a week. However, a subset of infected individuals (especially children under 5 years of age, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals) may develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe illness characterized by hemolytic anemia (red cell breakdown), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and renal failure. HUS can lead to death.

At this time, the investigation has not been narrowed to a specific lot, date code, or production date. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, Sierra Nevada Cheese Company is recalling all the Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products listed below currently in distribution. The recalled products were distributed nationwide through distributors, retailers, and direct customers.

The recall includes the following Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products:

FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 with 13 illnesses identified to date. According to information provided during the investigation, illnesses have been epidemiologically associated with consumption of Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar. The investigation remains ongoing. A specific lot, production date, or source of contamination has not been identified at this time.

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company initiated the voluntary recall after being contacted by FDA regarding the ongoing FDA/CDC outbreak investigation. The company immediately stopped production and shipment of all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese, notified customers that purchased the affected products directly from Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, and issued notices through its website and social media. The company is cooperating with FDA and CDC as the investigation continues.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products should not consume or serve them and should return the product to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of it. Consumers with questions may contact Sierra Nevada Cheese Company at (530) 934-8662, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, or by email at recallinfo@sierranevadacheese.com.

Link to FDA Outbreak Advisory

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* We believe that none of the product being recalled were processed or offered through the national office
* We strongly encourage you to notify your agencies within one business day from receipt of this notice.
* ALL cased and uncased inventories, both at the member level and agency level, need to be checked. This product may have entered member and agency warehouses through salvage, local donations, TEFAP, local purchases, retail pickups, food drives, or other avenues.
* For additional local details, please contact the Health Department(s) for the area(s) your food bank serves.
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About Feeding America Recall Notices

The Feeding America national office issues notifications of all national Class I and II recalls–those involving a health hazard situation in which there is reasonable probability that eating the food will cause health problems or death–and other recalls that may affect the safety of food supplied to network members.

The national office strongly encourages all member product solicitors, operations managers, and others involved in food and grocery distribution to regularly consult resources provided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fsis_Recalls/index.asp. Additionally, members can often receive information on national, state, and local recalls by contacting their local health departments.

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