Several Cheeses Recalled Due to Dangerous E. Coli Contamination—What to Know

Check your fridge. Twin Sisters Creamery of Ferndale, Washington, is recalling some of its cheese products because they may be contaminated with E. coli, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The affected 2.5-pound round wheels of Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed cheese were shipped to distributors in Oregon and Washington between July 27 and October 22. The products may have been further distributed to retail stores for repackaging or sold as pre-cut half-moon-shaped pieces with different lot numbers or expiration dates. The products are made from raw, unpasteurized milk and have been aged for at least 60 days to reduce the potential for pathogens.

The affected cheese wheels have the following batch codes:

• Whatcom Blue: 250527B, 250610B, 250618B, and 250624B
• Farmhouse: 250603F, 250616B
• Peppercorn: 250603P
• Mustard Seed: 250616M

The recall was initiated after Twin Sisters Creamery was notified that a Farmhouse cheese sample analyzed by a third-party lab tested positive for E. coli O103, a strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). STEC was also detected in Whatcom Blue samples analyzed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the FDA.

STEC can contaminate food through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products, or contaminated produce, according to the Washington State Department of Health. So far, there have been three reports of STEC infections caused by E. coli O103 in Oregon and Washington. The individual in Oregon consumed the recalled cheese before becoming ill.

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According to the FDA, STEC can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older people, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, with symptoms typically appearing one to 10 days after exposure. STEC infections can be serious, particularly in children under five, and may lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition that causes kidney failure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you purchased any of the recalled products, do not eat them. Instead, discard or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Clean and sanitize any surfaces the cheese may have touched. For any questions, contact Twin Sisters Creamery at 360-656-5240, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.