Three food recalls posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the last week of September cover raw milk cheese tied to a nine-state E. coli outbreak, a single lot of jarred peppers and a ground cinnamon tested for lead. Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, G. L. Mezzetta Inc. and Galil Importing Corp each announced voluntary recalls between September 24 and September 28, 2026, and the FDA has posted all three notices.
The cheese recall is the most serious of the three because people have already gotten sick. The other two have no reported illnesses and each covers one specific lot. All three are FDA actions; none is a USDA meat or poultry recall.
Graziers raw milk cheese linked to 13 illnesses
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company of Willows, California, is recalling all of its Graziers Raw Milk Cheese currently on the market because of potential contamination with E. coli O26:H11, a Shiga toxin-producing strain. According to the FDA outbreak advisory, the outbreak has caused 13 illnesses, eight hospitalizations and three cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. Cases have been recorded in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah, and the cheese was sold at retailers nationwide and online.
The FDA says that of the nine sick people interviewed, all nine reported eating Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese. The agency contacted the company on September 24 and recommended a recall, and the firm agreed the same day. The company’s formal notice is dated September 28 and was posted by the FDA on September 29. It states that illnesses “have been epidemiologically associated with consumption of Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar.”
Recalled raw milk cheese and UPC codes
No lot code or best-by date narrows this recall. The company said that “the investigation has not been narrowed to a specific lot, date code, or production date,” so every listed product is included:
- Graziers Raw Milk Monterey Jack, 8 oz square, UPC 6-87652-16400-9
- Graziers Raw Milk Jalapeño Jack, 8 oz square, UPC 6-87652-16403-0
- Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar, 8 oz square, UPC 6-87652-16506-8
- Graziers Raw Milk Sharp Cheddar, 8 oz square, UPC 6-87652-16507-5
- Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar, 16 oz brick, UPC 6-87652-16501-3
- 5 lb loaves for food service: Monterey Jack (item 6425), Jalapeño Jack (item 6426), Medium Cheddar (item 6510), Sharp Cheddar (item 6511)
- Graziers Raw Milk Cheddar, 40 lb block, items 6515 and 6516
The FDA advisory notes that “this product has a long shelf life” and tells consumers to check refrigerators and freezers for the recalled cheese and throw it away. If cheese was re-wrapped or frozen without its original packaging and you cannot tell whether it is a Graziers product, the FDA says to discard it. Symptoms, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, can begin up to nine days after eating contaminated food.
Consumers can return the cheese for a refund or call Sierra Nevada Cheese Company at (530) 934-8662, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. NarwhalTV has previously covered a separate raw milk outbreak in Idaho.
Mezzetta pulls one lot of Golden Greek Peperoncini
G. L. Mezzetta Inc. announced on September 26 that it is recalling one lot of its Golden Greek Peperoncini, Medium Heat, in 32-ounce jars. The recall followed a social media video. The company wrote: “We’re aware of a video circulating on social media showing a potential pest contaminant in a jar of Mezzetta GOLDEN GREEK PEPERONCINI MEDIUM HEAT, 32-ounce.”
The recall applies only to jars with these identifiers:
- Product: Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini, Medium Heat, 32 oz
- SKU: 10106328
- Lot: 720106
Mezzetta said it has received no reports of illness or injury and that, based on current information, “no other Mezzetta products or lots are included in this recall.” The company said it is reviewing production, sanitation and food-safety records. Anyone with a jar from lot 720106 should not eat it and can contact the company at CustomerSupport@Mezzetta.com. The notice does not list the states where the lot was sold.
Lior cinnamon recalled over elevated levels of lead
Galil Importing Corp of Hauppauge, New York, is recalling Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning because it may be contaminated with elevated levels of lead, according to a notice posted September 24. The problem surfaced after the Maryland Department of Health collected and tested a sample.
- Product: Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning, 90 g transparent plastic container
- UPC: 794711005484
- Lot code: GAP11304, printed on the side of the container under the ingredient line
- Sold: retail stores, grocery stores, delis and supermarkets in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida and Illinois
- Distribution dates: November 18, 2025, to September 7, 2026
No illnesses have been reported. The notice explains that short exposure to very low levels of lead may cause no symptoms, and that “increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure.” Children face the greatest risk: exposure over weeks to months can permanently damage the central nervous system, leading to learning disorders and developmental defects. Consumers should throw the cinnamon away or return it for a refund; questions go to 1-516-496-7400, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.
How to check your kitchen against the food recalls
Matching the code on the package is the fastest way to know whether you are affected:
- Cheese: any Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese on the list counts, regardless of date.
- Peppers: only 32-ounce Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini, Medium Heat, with lot 720106.
- Cinnamon: only Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning with UPC 794711005484 and lot GAP11304.
Anyone who ate the recalled cheese and develops diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea, or other signs of illness should contact a health care provider. The FDA also told retailers that repackaged the cheese for individual sale to pull it, so store-wrapped portions may be affected. Notices can change as investigations continue, so the FDA’s food recalls pages remain the best place to confirm details.
