Two separate food recalls unfolding this month highlight a troubling pattern: pathogens are reaching consumers despite safety protocols. An E. coli outbreak linked to Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese has sickened 13 people across nine states, with eight hospitalizations and three cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening kidney condition. Simultaneously, Bettergoods Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine sold at Walmart tested positive for listeria, a pathogen that poses particular danger to pregnant people, young children, and older adults.

What Makes These Recalls Different from Typical Food Safety Issues?

The raw milk cheese outbreak is particularly noteworthy because all nine people interviewed by public health officials reported consuming Sierra Nevada Graziers cheese, establishing a clear link between the product and illness. The FDA contacted the company on September 24, 2026, and Sierra Nevada Cheese Company immediately agreed to recall all Graziers Raw Milk Cheeses in multiple varieties: medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeno jack, and Monterey jack. The product has been distributed nationwide in both retail packages and wholesale quantities.

What makes the listeria case especially concerning is that the pathogen thrives in cold environments. As James E. Rogers, director of food safety at Consumer Reports, explained, freezing temperatures will not kill listeria, making it uniquely dangerous among foodborne pathogens. The contamination was discovered during routine testing by state officials in Washington and Florida, suggesting that standard production controls may have failed to catch the bacteria before packaging.

How Serious Are the Health Risks from These Pathogens?

E. coli O26:H11 infections can develop anywhere from a few days to nine days after consuming contaminated food. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, the infection can progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome, which damages the kidneys and can lead to chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and neurological problems. The current outbreak has already resulted in three HUS cases among 13 total illnesses.

Listeria poses a different but equally serious threat. While most healthy people experience mild symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and muscle aches that resolve on their own, the infection can spread beyond the intestines in vulnerable populations and cause life-threatening damage to the brain and spinal cord. For pregnant people, listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns, even if the pregnant person does not become ill themselves.

Steps to Protect Your Home from Recalled Products

• Check Your Refrigerator and Freezer: Search for Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheeses in medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeno jack, or Monterey jack varieties, and Bettergoods Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine with UPC 194346442706 and lot numbers L6079C or L6080C. The fettuccine has expiration dates of 09/19/2027 or 09/20/2027.
• Return or Discard Safely: Do not consume recalled products. Return them to the place of purchase for a full refund, or throw them away if you prefer not to return them. If you refrigerated or froze cheese without the original packaging and cannot confirm whether it is part of the recall, discard it to be safe.
• Clean Contaminated Surfaces: Carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces, containers, or utensils that contacted the recalled cheese. Follow FDA guidance on safe handling and cleaning to reduce the risk of cross-contamination to other foods or family members.

The FDA investigation into the raw milk cheese outbreak is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether other products may be affected. State and local public health officials continue interviewing ill people about their food consumption in the week before symptoms appeared. The last illness onset date recorded was August 26, 2026, suggesting the outbreak may have begun weeks before the recall was initiated.

For the listeria-contaminated fettuccine, the FDA and Gias Foods, Inc. are investigating the source of contamination, though neither company had disclosed details about how the bacteria entered the production process as of the recall announcement. Walmart issued a statement confirming it is working quickly to remove the product from store shelves and encouraging customers to follow recall instructions.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

If you consumed recalled cheese and develop symptoms of E. coli infection, consult your healthcare provider immediately. For listeria, seek medical attention if you develop a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit or are unable to keep liquids down for two or three days. Consumers can also report illnesses to the FDA by calling a Consumer Complaint Coordinator, completing an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online, or submitting a paper form by mail.

These recalls underscore the importance of remaining vigilant about food safety, even when purchasing from trusted retailers or specialty producers. The FDA and CDC urge consumers to check their homes for recalled products and take immediate action to prevent illness in their households.