San Diego Warns Against Sierra Nevada Raw Milk Cheese After E. coli Outbreak

San Diego County Public Health officials have issued a warning urging residents not to consume Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese after it was linked to a multi-state E. coli outbreak. Two children under 5 in San Diego County were among 13 cases across 10 states, including three each in California and Nevada.

Sierra Nevada Graziers voluntarily recalled its grass-fed raw milk cheeses on Thursday, including medium and sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack, and Monterey jack. Products were sold in 8- or 16-ounce packages at retail stores and in 5-pound loaves to food service customers and wholesalers.

County epidemiologists identified the outbreak, with an average case age of 5 years. County Public Health Officer Sayone Thihalolipavan praised the epidemiology team’s swift detection, noting raw milk products can carry dangerous bacteria like Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, which can cause severe illness in young children, pregnant women, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals.

E. coli infections may present with stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, with severe cases potentially leading to hemolytic uremic syndrome and kidney failure. Health officials advise discarding any Sierra Nevada raw cheese products.