In a precautionary move, Twin Sisters Creamery of Ferndale, Washington, has issued a voluntary recall of several of its cheese products due to potential contamination with harmful bacteria. The specific products in question—Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed cheese varieties—may be tainted with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and the E. coli O103 strain.
These strains can result in serious health problems, including fatal infections, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems, the young, the elderly, and, potentially causing kidney damage and life-threatening complications like Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). The cheeses, made from raw and unpasteurized milk aged for at least 60 days, were available in Oregon and Washington, and there have been reports of related illnesses in those states. The Oregon Health Authority has documented three STEC infections, with a case in Oregon directly linked to the Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese.
The recall traces back to certain batch codes for the 2.5lb round cheese wheels. These include Whatcom Blue batches 250527B, 250610B, 250618B, 250624B; Farmhouse batches 250603F, 250616B; Peppercorn batch 250603P; and Mustard Seed batch 250616M. The affected products were sold to distributors and may have reached various retail outlets either in their original packaging or repackaged and labeled with different lot numbers or expiration dates.
The contamination was discovered following third-party lab analyses and subsequent testing by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The findings prompted the recall, which aims to prevent further illness. Consumers in possession of these products are advised to discard them immediately and thoroughly sanitize any surfaces the products may have come into contact with. For those concerned about health issues, seeking medical attention is recommended.
As an added precaution, the creamery is urging customers who have purchased the now-recalled cheeses to return them to the point of sale for a full refund. Twin Sisters Creamery confirmed the recall efforts on its website and stated that consumers with queries should reach out via their customer service number. This recall operation is being carried out in conjunction with the oversight of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Washington Department of Agriculture, as noted in the official notice.
