By The Epoch Times | Created at 2026-10-18 19:26:37 | Updated at 2026-10-18 20:20:00
1 hour ago
Family Farmstead Dairy is recalling a batch of raw mild cheddar cheese distributed to grocers in seven states because of potential E. coli contamination, according to an Oct. 15 company announcement posted by the Food and Drug Administration.
No illnesses or allergic reactions associated with the recalled cheese have been reported. No other Family Farmstead Dairy products are included in the recall.
The recall covers cheese bearing the lot code and best-by date of July 22, 2027. The product was distributed to grocers in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts. It may also have reached other states through downstream distributors, the company said.
The Worcester, New York-based company said testing in Maryland identified two strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli—O26 and O45—in two samples of its A2 raw cheddar in 8-ounce packages.
The bacteria can cause diarrhea, often with bloody stools, according to the FDA. Although most healthy adults recover completely within a week, some people can develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a condition that can cause serious kidney damage and death, according to the announcement. Young children and older adults are more likely to develop the condition.
Consumers should not eat the affected cheese and should discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
“We sincerely apologize to our customers, retail partners, and consumers for the inconvenience caused by this recall,” Family Farmstead Dairy said in a statement released by the FDA. “Product quality is an utmost priority here at Family Farmstead so we are committed to identifying the cause of this issue and taking all necessary corrective actions to ensure the continued safety and quality of our products.”
Family Farmstead Dairy says its production methods emphasize organic farming, grass-fed cows, and limited processing, with a goal of helping revitalize small family farms in central New York.
The company describes its products as USDA-certified organic and says its cows receive an entirely grass-fed diet without grain. During summer, the animals eat fresh grass, while winter feed may include dry hay or fermented grass known as baleage. Those seasonal changes can affect the flavor of their milk, according to the company.
Family Farmstead says it sources milk from a small group of farms and tests each cow to confirm that it produces the A2 form of beta-casein, a milk protein determined by the animal’s genetics.
“At Family Farmstead Dairy we believe that everything should be kept as natural as possible. This idea is the main factor behind everything we do,” the company said on its website.
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company also announced a nationwide recall on Sept. 24 of its Graziers raw milk cheeses over potential E. coli contamination, according to a company announcement posted by the FDA Sept. 29.
The Willows, California, company recalled medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and jalapeño Jack products. The cheeses were distributed nationwide through distributors, retailers, and direct customers.
The announcement said the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O26 involving 13 reported cases of illness. Investigators had linked nine of the illnesses with the consumption of Graziers raw milk cheese.
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company initiated the voluntary recall after being contacted by the FDA. 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 FDA stated.
The FDA announced 6,067 products had been recalled in the 2026 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. That includes product types such as drugs, devices, biologics, veterinary products, food, and cosmetics. The highest number of recalled products over the past 14 years was 9,198 in 2017.
