Photo by Zoe Richardson on Unsplash
Additional cases of E. coli linked to cheese expands the Twin Sister Creamery Outbreak. When the Make Food Safe Blog initially reported on the recent outbreak of E. coli linked to cheese, three illnesses were confirmed in the outbreak.
Now, reports indicate that nine people have been sickened in this outbreak. Of which, one has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported to date.
Here’s what we know so far!
In a November 6, 2025 update, Washington State Department of Health added more cases to the list of E. coli linked to cheese. Twin Sisters Creamery cheese, that is.
Two strains of E. coli bacteria have been found among human cases. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103 and O26.
Overall, nine people have been linked to this outbreak. One in Oregon and eight in Washington state.
The E. coli O103 strain was found in two Washington residents samples and one Oregon resident sample. This outbreak patient strain was genetically similar to two Twin Sisters Creamery cheeses. The Farmhouse and Whatcom Blue cheese varieties.
Another strain of E. coli, E. coli O26 was found in six Washington resident samples. This outbreak patient strain was genetically similar to another Twin Sisters Creamery cheese. Their Peppercorn Farmhouse cheese.
Samples were obtained from both patient’s homes and retails stores.
A commercial lab identified E. coli O103 from an opened package of Farmhouse variety Twin Sisters Creamery cheese from a patient’s home. The Washington State Public Health laboratory identified E. coli O103 and another E. coli strain that the state lab was unable to type on-site in Twin Sisters Creamery Whatcom Blue variety and Farmhouse variety. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified E. coli O26 in an unopened package of Twin Sisters Creamery Peppercorn Farmhouse variety from a patient’s home.
Recalled products include all sizes of Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed varieties of aged cheese from Twin Sisters Creamery produced on or after 5/27/2025.
These products include:
Other labels may be impacted, as some cheese products may have been repackaged by grocery stores and markets.
According to Washington State Department of Health, “all cases report illness onsets before the cheese was [initially] recalled on October 24, 2025.” No other Twin Sisters Creamery products have been added to the recall list.
However, not all E. coli bacteria are harmless. Some can make you very sick! One group of these harmful strains produce a type of toxin that can cause serious illness, complications that lead to hospitalization, long-term health problems, or even death. These are known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or STEC.
The symptoms of E. coli infections can vary from mild to severe. Most people begin feeling sick around three to four days after exposure. However, some may begin feeling sick as early as one day or as late as 10 days or more after eating contaminated food.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Normally healthy people generally recover from E. coli infection within five to seven days. Some people, on the other hand, may experience other complications. These complications may lead to hospitalization or even death.
The elderly, young children (under five years), and those with a weakened immune system may experience more severe illness or develop serious complications.
One of the more common complications involved in E. coli infections is called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
HUS, is a rare, but serious health condition that can develop after becoming sick with a toxin-producing bacteria like E. coli.
This complication develops when toxins rupture blood cells. These ruptured bloods cells clog the filtering aspects of the kidney. This can result in kidney failure and cause other downstream negative health effects.
People with HUS require hospitalization and monitoring to prevent further damage.
Symptoms to look out for include decreased urination, paleness in cheeks and inside of lower eyelids, and fatigue.
If you have been sick with symptoms consistent with E. coli infection and begin experiencing these HUS symptoms, get medical help right away!
If you have symptoms consistent with an E. coli infection, you may be wondering what you can do to help.
Even if your symptoms are mild, it is still a good idea to report your illness to your local health department. This can help investigators get a better picture of the scope of this E. coli outbreak from Twin Sisters Creamery farmhouse cheeses.
They may ask you questions about your symptoms, what and where you have eaten in the past few weeks, and other supporting information. So have that information handy.
If you have been seriously impacted by this outbreak, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced E. coli lawyer.
If you have become seriously ill with an E. coli infection and wish to make a legal claim for compensation, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has an E. coli lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully won millions of dollars in products liability and food poisoning cases and they can help you too!
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
There is an outbreak of Listeria in Hawaii. Two people have fallen sick. One person…
If you have eaten at Tam O’Shanter recently, you may have been exposed to a…
There have been at least 11 cases of Camplylobacter illness associated with raw milk in…
ByHeart infant formula is a common food consumed by 13 babies recently diagnosed with deadly…
Member’s Mark Super Greens has been identified as the source of a recent Salmonella outbreak.…
State, local, and hospital health investigators search for the Legionnaires’ disease source at The Christ…