FDA issues highest-risk warning for cheese recall after more than a dozen sickened

(Gray News) - The FDA issued its highest-risk warning for a California-based company amid concerns over a multistate cheese E. coli outbreak.

The Class I classification applied to all affected Graziers raw milk cheese products manufactured by California-based Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, including Monterey Jack, jalapeño jack, medium cheddar and sharp cheddar varieties, according to a press release.

The affected products were distributed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

Investigators said 13 people in nine states became sick. More than half of those infected were children age 5 and younger.

The company announced the initital recall on Sept. 28.

The company is telling consumers not to eat any of the recalled cheeses. People should either throw the cheeses out or return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund.