If you’ve been shopping for cheese lately, you might want to double-check your stash. A New York-based company, Family Farmstead Dairy, is pulling a specific batch of their Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese off shelves after concerns surfaced about potential E. coli contamination.
The recall covers cheese with a "best-by" date of July 22, 2027. If you live in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, or Massachusetts, heads up—your local store might have carried this batch. Because the company distributes to major grocers like Whole Foods Market and Fresh Direct, there is a chance the products traveled even further through other distributors.
Why it happened
The plot thickens back in Maryland, where testing on the cheese samples revealed two strains of toxin-producing E. coli. Family Farmstead Dairy says this is the only product affected, so you don’t need to worry about the rest of their lineup.
While the situation is highkey concerning, the good news is that no illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported yet. The dairy team issued an apology for the drama, stating they are investigating how this happened to ensure their future products are safe.
Why it matters
Real talk: E. coli is not something to mess with. While many healthy adults bounce back from the symptoms—like diarrhea and potentially bloody stools—within a week, it can be life-threatening for kids and the elderly. In extreme cases, it can trigger kidney failure known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, which can be fatal. If you have this cheese in your fridge, just toss it or return it to the store. Don't risk the L.
