E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese brand: CDC, FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections potentially linked to Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese.

Cases and health response

Thirteen people in nine states have been sickened in the E. coli outbreak, including eight who were hospitalized and three who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially serious complication of E. coli infection that presents with bloody diarrhea and fever, according to the CDC.

No deaths have been reported, the FDA said.

States with E. coli cases linked to raw milk cheese include California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah.

The FDA said in an update on Sept.

25, that it interviewed nine people who became ill and all nine reported eating Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese.

The FDA said that it contacted the company on Sept. 24 and recommended a recall.

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company agreed and initiated a recall that same day of all milk cheeses, according to the FDA.