TL;DR
Family Farmstead Dairy recalled a specific lot of its raw mild cheddar cheese because it may contain Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26:H11 and O45:H2. The affected cheese has lot code and best-by date 7/22/27; consumers should not eat it and can discard it or return it for a refund. No illnesses have been reported to date.
Family Farmstead Dairy recalled a specific lot of its raw mild cheddar cheese because it may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26:H11 and O45:H2, according to a company announcement posted by the FDA on October 15, 2026. The company said consumers should not eat cheese marked with lot code and best-by date 7/22/27; no illnesses had been reported at the time of the notice.
The recalled product is labeled Family Farmstead Dairy Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese. The affected lot code is 7/22/27, and the best-by date is also 7/22/27. The company said no other Family Farmstead Dairy products are included in this recall. Consumers who have the affected cheese should discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
The company’s notice says the cheese was distributed to grocers in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts. It also warns that downstream distributors may have sent the product to other states, so the stated list may not cover every location where it was sold. The announcement identifies the recalled product as raw mild cheddar, while describing the testing that prompted the recall as involving samples of Family Farmstead A2 Raw Cheddar in eight-ounce packages bearing the same date.
Family Farmstead Dairy said the issue was identified after a sample associated with LFFM testing in Maryland isolated two strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in two samples. The company described this as a correction to its earlier October 15 press release, saying it had corrected the product’s distribution pattern and the E. coli serotypes named. The notice does not report illnesses or allergic reactions linked to the recalled cheese.
Health Risks From Contaminated Cheese
The recall matters because Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can cause diarrheal illness, sometimes with bloody stools, according to the company’s notice. While the announcement says many healthy adults recover within about a week, infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure. The company says young children and older adults are more likely to develop HUS, which can cause serious kidney damage and can be fatal.
Raw milk cheese is made without the pasteurization step used to reduce harmful microorganisms in milk. That makes it especially important for consumers to follow the recall instructions rather than rely on smell, appearance or taste to judge whether a product is safe. The notice does not say that every package in the lot is contaminated; the recall is precautionary because the product may contain the identified bacteria.
People who have already eaten the cheese should watch for symptoms and contact a health care provider if they become ill, particularly if symptoms include bloody diarrhea or signs of dehydration. The FDA-posted announcement does not provide a specific medical protocol or say that anyone has become sick. Consumers with concerns can contact the company using the details in the notice.
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Testing Prompted a Corrected Recall Notice
The FDA page labels the notice a company announcement and says it publishes company recall notices as a public service; it also states that the agency does not endorse the company or its products. The recall announcement was dated October 15, 2026, and the FDA published it that day. The company characterized the notice as an update to a press release issued earlier on October 15.
In that update, Family Farmstead Dairy said it was correcting the distribution pattern and the E. coli serotypes named in its earlier release. The account of the trigger says two samples of Family Farmstead A2 Raw Cheddar, in eight-ounce packages with a 7/22/27 date, yielded two strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in testing in Maryland. The recalled item is identified in the notice as raw mild cheddar cheese, with the same lot and best-by date.
The company said it had received no reports of illness associated with the recalled product as of the announcement. That is a statement about reports received by the company at that time, not a guarantee that no exposure or illness occurred. The notice does not name the laboratory behind the testing or provide additional test results.
““We sincerely apologize to our customers, retail partners, and consumers for the inconvenience caused by this recall.””
— Family Farmstead Dairy
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Scope and Investigation Still Developing
The notice does not give the total number of packages involved, the full list of stores or distributors that received the cheese, or whether the affected lot reached consumers outside the seven named states. The company specifically cautioned that downstream distribution may have extended the product’s reach. Consumers who bought the product elsewhere may need to check with their retailer or contact the company.
It is also not clear from the announcement whether the two samples tested were taken from retail packages, production materials or another point in the supply chain. The notice does not identify how the samples were collected, name the laboratory, explain how the two E. coli strains were distinguished, or provide a final determination of the contamination’s source. Although the company says it will investigate, it does not specify a timeline or list completed corrective steps.
No illnesses or allergic reactions had been reported to the company at publication, but the notice does not say whether health officials were conducting a separate case investigation. The FDA page reproduces the company’s announcement and does not independently establish that the product tested positive across the full lot.
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Consumers Should Check Lot Labels
Consumers should compare packages of Family Farmstead Dairy raw mild cheddar with the 7/22/27 lot code and best-by date. Anyone with a matching product should not consume it; the company says it should be discarded or returned to the retailer for a full refund. People unsure whether their cheese is part of the recall can contact Family Farmstead Dairy at (607) 397-4044 or customerservice@familyfarmsteaddairy.com, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
The company says it is working to identify the cause and take corrective actions, but the public notice does not set a date for further findings. Consumers and retailers can look for updated notices from the company or FDA, including any changes to the distribution information or recall scope. The FDA page describes its role as posting the company’s announcement, so readers should distinguish the company’s statements from any later findings issued by public health authorities.
cheddar cheese for cheese platters
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Key Questions
Which Family Farmstead Dairy cheese is recalled?
The recall covers Family Farmstead Dairy Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese with lot code and best-by date 7/22/27. The company says no other Family Farmstead Dairy products are included.
Why was the cheese recalled?
The company said the cheese may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26:H11 and O45:H2. Its notice says testing in Maryland isolated two strains in two samples of Family Farmstead A2 Raw Cheddar bearing the same date.
What should I do if I have the recalled cheese?
Do not eat it. The company advises consumers to discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Contact the company if you need help identifying the product or locating a retailer.
Have illnesses been reported?
Family Farmstead Dairy said no illnesses had been reported in connection with the recalled product as of its October 15, 2026 announcement. That statement reflects the information available to the company at that time.
Where was the recalled cheese distributed?
The company listed grocers in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts. It said downstream distributors may also have sent the product to other states.
Source: primary
