A recent food safety alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has led to a widespread recall of raw-milk cheeses from Twin Sisters Creamery, a Washington-based artisan cheese maker. The products are linked to contamination with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and E. coli O103, two pathogens known to cause serious gastrointestinal and kidney-related illness.
According to the FDA and the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the voluntary recall affects both wholesale and retail cheese sold in at least four U.S. states, with several batches confirmed to contain E. coli. One of the reported illnesses was traced back to a Farmhouse cheese sample.
Contaminated Raw-Milk Cheeses Sold in Multiple U.S. States
The affected cheeses, including Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed varieties, were produced using unpasteurized milk and aged for a minimum of 60 days. According to the recall notice issued on 26 October 2025, Twin Sisters Creamery confirmed the presence of E. coli O103 in samples tested by a third-party laboratory, and STEC in Whatcom Blue cheese, based on findings from both the FDA and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).
The products were distributed between 8/14/2025 and 10/24/2025 to locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Colorado, with some going to restaurants, caterers, and retail outlets. According to Peterson Company, a distributor based in Auburn, WA, items sold under codes #28855 (Whatcom Blue) and #29608 (Farmhouse) were packaged as 5–6oz half-moon shaped pieces, marked with manufacturer codes such as 793511 and 738511.
Three confirmed cases of E. coli O103 infection have been reported so far, two in Washington and one in Oregon. The Oregon case was specifically linked to consumption of Farmhouse cheese produced by Twin Sisters Creamery. No illness has yet been associated with items re-packaged by Peterson Company.
Risks of E. Coli O103 and Response from Producers
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), E. coli O103 can cause symptoms ranging from abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening kidney condition, particularly in children and the elderly. Symptoms generally appear one to ten days after exposure.
Twin Sisters Creamery has urged customers to discard any remaining cheese from the affected batches and sanitize all surfaces the products may have contacted. The recall is being conducted with the knowledge of both the FDA and WSDA.
Peterson Company has also requested that consumers return the cheeses for a full refund, while making it clear that no contamination occurred during their own handling or re-packaging process. Concerned individuals are advised to consult medical professionals if they experience symptoms following consumption.
