Class I U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Twin Sisters Creamery Whatcom Blue and Farmhouse cheese products recall: Potential Foodborne Illness - Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)

Recall published 1+ years ago

Potential Foodborne Illness - Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Escherichia coli O103

Twin Sisters Creamery Dairy — recalled dairyTwin Sisters Creamery Dairy — recalled dairy (photo 2)
2 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: E. coli contamination

The hazard here is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli — the strain family behind the bloody-diarrhoea outbreaks, and the reason this notice is worth acting on today rather than at the weekend.

What the notice says: E. coli Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Why it matters: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli causes a more severe illness than most food poisoning, and in a minority of cases it damages the kidneys. Very small numbers of bacteria are enough to make someone ill.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

The CDC describes symptoms as severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea that is often bloody, and vomiting, typically starting three to four days after exposure. Most people get better within a week. A small proportion — most often young children and older adults — develop haemolytic uraemic syndrome, a form of kidney failure that needs hospital treatment. Call a doctor for bloody diarrhoea, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, a fever above 102°F, vomiting that prevents you keeping liquids down, or signs of dehydration. The CDC advises against taking anti-diarrhoeal medicine for a suspected E. coli infection unless a doctor tells you to.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Recall number
H-0197-2026, H-0198-2026
Published
October 26, 2025
Risk level
Class I
Status
Terminated
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Twin Sisters Creamery
Product type
Dairy
Units affected
18 cases (16 pieces per case) or 288 pieces
Distribution
Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Lot / code info
MFG Code 761511 MFG Code 775511 MFG Code 781511 MFG Code 793511 761511 = cut on 9/18/2025 775511 = cut on 10/2/2025 781511 = cut on 10/8/2025 793511 = cut on 10/20/2025 — MFG Code 726511 MFG Code 738511 MFG Code 752511 MFG Code 765511 726511 = cut on 8/14/2025 738511 = cut on 8/26/2025 752511 = cut on 9/9/2025 765511 = cut on 9/22/2025

Products covered by this recall

Whatcom Blue and Farmhouse cheese products

What the company announced

October 26, 2025, Peterson Company of Auburn, WA is voluntarily recalling Twin Sisters Creamery brand item# 28855 Whatcom Blue and item# 29608 Farmhouse Cheese products which were made from raw milk because they may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and E. coli O103 .

E. coli Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

E. coli O103 is an organism that can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, with symptoms typically appearing 1-10 days after exposure. It can lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition that causes kidney failure, particularly dangerous in young children, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised persons. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and potentially fatal complications.

Item# 28855 Whatcom Blue and item# 29608 Farmhouse Cheese products were distributed to retailers and food businesses including caters, distributors and restaurants in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington between 8/14/2025 and 10/24/2025.

The affected item #28855 Whatcom Blue and item #29608 Farmhouse cheeses are roughly 5oz-6oz half-moon shaped pieces and are packaged in clear plastic wrap. They have the following manufacturer codes ink jet printed or a small tan-to-orange sticker on each piece:

Item# 28855 Whatcom Blue – MFG Code 793511

Item# 28855 Whatcom Blue – MFG Code 781511

Item# 28855 Whatcom Blue – MFG Code 775511

Item# 28855 Whatcom Blue – MFG Code 761511

Item# 29608 Farmhouse – MFG Code 765511

Item# 29608 Farmhouse – MFG Code 752511

Item# 29608 Farmhouse – MFG Code 738511

Item# 29608 Farmhouse – MFG Code 726511

We were informed by our cheese supplier Twin Sisters Creamery that there have been three reports of STEC infections caused by E. coli O103 in OR and WA to date. The case in Oregon consumed the Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese prior to becoming ill. These illnesses are not associated with consumption of cheese items that were re-packaged by Peterson Company.

This recall was initiated following notification from our supplier Twin Sisters Creamery of their recall after they were notified that the Farmhouse Cheese sample analyzed by a third-party lab confirmed presence of E. coli O103 and E. Coli STEC was detected in Whatcom Blue samples analyzed by WSDA and FDA.

The recalled products should no longer be available for purchase but maybe in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. If consumers still have recalled products in their home, do not eat or use them, throw them away, and clean and sanitize surfaces they touched. Consumers concerned about an illness should contact a medical professional.

Consumers who purchased the affected 5oz-6oz half-moon shaped pieces of Whatcom Blue and Farmhouse Twin Sisters cheese are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Twin Sisters Creamery at 360-656-5240 Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-5:00pm PT or Peterson Company at (800) 735-0313 X2101.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 6 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Model or item number

On the rating label, the box or the instruction sheet.

  • 28855
  • 29608

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 5 oz
  • 6 oz
  • 16 pieces
  • 288 pieces

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about E. coli

Twin Sisters Creamery — The hazard here is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli — the strain family behind the bloody-diarrhoea outbreaks, and the reason this notice is worth acting on today rather than at the weekend.

  1. Stop eating it now and keep it away from children.
  2. Keep an eye on young children for a week after exposure, including after the diarrhoea stops, because kidney complications appear late.
  3. Seal it in a bag and throw it out, or return it to the store for a refund.
  4. Wash hands, utensils, boards and counters that touched it with hot soapy water — cross-contamination is how most secondary cases happen.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who purchased the affected 5oz-6oz half-moon shaped pieces of Whatcom Blue and Farmhouse Twin Sisters cheese are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Peterson Company — Consumers: (360) 656-5240

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Twin Sisters Creamery dairy recalled?

Potential Foodborne Illness - Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Escherichia coli O103 E. coli Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: model number 28855, 29608. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating it now and keep it away from children.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who purchased the affected 5oz-6oz half-moon shaped pieces of Whatcom Blue and Farmhouse Twin Sisters cheese are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.

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