Family Farmstead Dairy Announces Recall of Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese Due to Potential E. coli O26:H11 and O45:H2 Contamination

WORCESTER, NY, October 15, 2026 - Family Farmstead Dairy of Worcester, NY is recalling specific lot of cheddar cheese because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O26:H11 and O45:H2 (E. Coli O26:H11 and O45:H2). E. coli O26:H11 and O45:H2 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. Product to grocers in NY, PA, NJ, CT, MD, VA, and MA. But the product may also have been distributed to other states via downstream distributors.

No other Family Farmstead Dairy products are included in this recall.

No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date.

The issue was discovered when a LFFM sample in Maryland isolated two strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in two samples of Family Farmstead A2 Raw Cheddar, 8 oz package, 7/22/27. 

Consumers who have purchased the affected product should not consume it. The product should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.

At this time, Family Farmstead Dairy has received no reports of illness associated with the recalled product.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall may contact:

"We sincerely apologize to our customers, retail partners, and consumers for the inconvenience caused by this recall. Product quality is an utmost priority here at Family Farmstead so we are committed to identifying the cause of this issue and taking all necessary corrective actions to ensure the continued safety and quality of our products."