DOH ALERTS PUBLIC TO SIERRA NEVADA CHEESE COMPANY RECALL OF ALL GRAZIERS RAW MILK CHEESES

HONOLULU - The Hawai'i Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) is alerting residents to a recall issued by Sierra Nevada Cheese Company for its Graziers Monterey Jack, Jalapeno Jack, Medium Cheddar and Sharp Cheddar raw milk cheeses. The recall was issued because of potential contamination with Escherichia coli O26:H11 (E. coli O26:H11). The company initiated the voluntary recall after being contacted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the ongoing outbreak investigation.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide, including retailers like Down to Earth in Hawai'i. The FDB is working with the local stores to ensure that the recalled products are no longer available for sale.

The recalled product information is as follows: 

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. Symptoms of E. coli O26:H11 infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and/or vomiting. 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.

Please contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are exhibiting symptoms after having consumed any of the recalled products. To date, 13 illnesses have been associated with Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O26:H11. There have been no reported cases of injury or illness in Hawai'i to date.

The recalled products should no longer be available for purchase but may still be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who purchased the recalled products should not consume or serve them. Return the products to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of them in a sealed zip-top bag. The FDB also recommends cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces that have come into contact with the products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Consumers with questions may contact Sierra Nevada Cheese Company at 530-934-8662, Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. HST, or by email at [email protected].

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