Calling the recall event "an outbreak," health authorities say at least 10 people in two states have become ill after consuming the cheese.
As the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday approaches, perhaps you’re thinking of setting out a charcuterie board to keep hungry guests satisfied before the turkey and mashed potatoes make their grand appearance. But a recent E. coli outbreak linked to several types of cheese—with nearly a dozen reported illnesses in two states—may put on a pause on that plan, especially since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week announced critical new details.
In October, we covered a recall involving Twin Sisters Creamery raw milk cheeses—specifically Item #28855 Whatcom Blue and Item #29608 Farmhouse Cheese—due to potential E. coli contamination. Now, in a November 19 report, the FDA has upgraded the recall to its highest risk level, Class I, and describes the quantity as “16 pieces per case” for a total of 288 pieces. In the original FDA recall announcement on October 27, the cheese was stated as being in “half-moon shaped pieces,” shaped in clear plastic wrap, and weighing approximately five to six ounces each.
On the same day, a separate report from the FDA also listed Twin Sisters Creamery Whatcom Blue and Farmhouse Cheese, though it adds the Peppercorn and Mustard Seed raw milk cheeses from the creamery as well. Over 5,000 pounds of the cheeses, sold in 2.5- or 3-pound wheels, have now officially been recalled as a Class I event, according to those newly released details.
A Class I designation is the most serious one assigned to recalls. According to the FDA, it indicates “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Between the two reports, it appears that the cheese products were distributed to three states: Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. (Though the initial FDA report said the products were also distributed to Colorado, the agency now clarifies that the firm “confirmed no product was distributed” to the state.)
The affected batches are:
- Whatcom Blue
- #450: Made on 5/27/2025; Batch Code 250527B; Sell by 2/21/2026
- #452: Made on 6/10/2025; Batch Code 250610B; Sell by 3/7/2026
- #454: Made on 6/18/2025; Batch Code 250618B; Sell by 3/15/2026
- #455: Made on 6/24/2025; Batch Code 250624B; Sell by 3/21/2026
- #456: Made on 7/01/2025; Batch Code 250701B; Sell by 3/28/2026
- #459: Made on 7/22/2025; Batch Code 250722B; Sell by 4/18/2026
- Item# 28855: MFG Code 761511, cut on 9/18/2025; MFG Code 775511, cut on 10/2/2025; MFG Code 781511, cut on 10/8/2025; MFG Code 793511, cut on 10/20/2025
- Farmhouse
- #451: Made on 6/03/2025; Batch Code 250603F; Sell by 6/03/2026
- #453: Made on 6/16/2025; Batch Code 250616F; Sell by 6/16/2026
- #457: Made on 7/08/2025; Batch Code 250708F; Sell by 7/08/2026
- Item# 29608: MFG Code 726511, cut on 8/14/2025; MFG Code 738511, cut on 8/26/2025; MFG Code 752511, cut on 9/9/2025; MFG Code 765511, cut on 9/22/2025
- Peppercorn
- #451: Made on 6/03/2025; Batch Code 250603P; Sell By 6/3/2026
- Mustard Seed
- #453: Made on 6/16/2025; Batch Code 250616M; Sell by 6/16/2026
Additional details can be found at the above FDA report links.
Both FDA reports say the cheeses were recalled “due to E. coli O103:H2.” In a November 6 post from the Washington State Department of Health, a total of 10 people, nine residents of Washington and one resident of Oregon, have been reported ill in connection with the E. coli outbreak. “All cases report illness onsets before the cheese was recalled on October 24, 2025,” states the health authority.
“Until further notice, no Twin Sisters Creamery cheese is currently available for sale or shipping,” reads a notice on the Twin Sisters Creamery website. In the FDA’s October 27 release, consumers were instructed to not eat any of the recalled cheese and instead throw it out, sanitize any potentially contaminated surfaces, and contact a medical professional for illness concerns. The agency also stated at that time that the cheese could be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
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