If you like a sharp slice of cheddar with your apples or crackers, check your refrigerator before the next snack. Family Farmstead Dairy of Worcester, New York, has recalled a specific lot of its Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese because it may be contaminated with two strains of E. coli, and shoppers who bought it are being told to toss it or take it back.
The company announced the recall on October 15, 2026, and the FDA posted the announcement the same day. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date.
How the Problem Was Found
According to the announcement, the issue was discovered when a sample in Maryland isolated two strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, known as STEC, in two samples of Family Farmstead A2 Raw Cheddar in an 8 ounce package marked 7/22/27. The two strains named in the recall are E. coli O26:H11 and O45:H2.
What Is Included
The affected product is Family Farmstead Dairy Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese. Look for these details on the package:
- Lot code: 7/22/27
- Best by date: 7/22/27
The company states that no other Family Farmstead Dairy products are included in this recall.
Where It Was Sent
The cheese was shipped to grocers in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts. The announcement also says the product may have been distributed to other states through downstream distributors, so even if you do not live in one of those seven states, it is worth a look if you bought this cheese.
Why This Matters
The company explains that these strains cause a diarrheal illness, often with bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover completely within a week. However, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, or HUS. It is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly, and the announcement says the condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.
That last part is why recalls like this get so much attention even when nobody has reported getting sick yet. Grandparents who share a cheese plate with little ones should pay special attention.
What to Do Right Now
The instructions are plain. Consumers who have purchased the affected product should not consume it. It should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
- Find the package. Check the refrigerator and any cheese drawers or lunch boxes for a Family Farmstead Dairy Raw Mild Cheddar.
- Read the date. The lot code and best by date on the recalled cheese is 7/22/27, and the tested package was 8 ounces.
- Do not eat it. Do not taste a small piece and do not serve it to others.
- Toss it or return it. The store where you bought it should give you a full refund.
- Call with questions. Family Farmstead Dairy can be reached at (607) 397-4044, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, or by email at [email protected].
If You Already Ate Some
No illnesses have been reported to date, so there is no cause for alarm. Even so, if you ate this cheese and you start to feel sick, especially with the diarrhea and bloody stools the company describes, or you are caring for a young child or an older relative who ate it, it is wise to call your health care provider and tell them about the cheese.
Why the Dates Are the Key
The company is recalling a specific lot, not every cheese it makes. The announcement states that no other Family Farmstead Dairy products are included. That means the numbers printed on the package, the lot code and the best by date, are what decide whether your cheddar is part of this recall. Do not rely on memory of the label alone. Pull the package out and read it.
Keep Everything Else Clean
If you had the recalled cheese, take a minute to wipe down the shelf or drawer where it sat. Wash your hands, any cutting boards and the knife you used. It is a simple step that takes very little time and gives you peace of mind.
A Note for Raw Cheese Shoppers
This recall is for a raw cheddar, and plenty of shoppers pick raw milk cheese for its flavor. If you buy specialty cheeses, a few habits are worth keeping. Know the brand and the best by date on what you bring home, keep the original packaging until the cheese is gone, and check recall notices from time to time. Those small steps make a recall easy to act on.
The Bottom Line
Family Farmstead Dairy says product quality is a top priority and that it is working to identify the cause and take corrective action. In the meantime, the job for shoppers is simple. If you have a Family Farmstead Dairy Raw Mild Cheddar marked 7/22/27, do not eat it. Toss it or return it for your money back.
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