Image by Anthony Arnaud from Pixabay
Twin Sisters Creamery is at the heart of a multi-state E. coli outbreak. Aged, raw milk cheese has been identified as the source.
At least three illnesses across Oregon and Washington have been reported. Others may be coming soon as more information becomes available.
What do we know about this Twin Sisters Creamery raw milk cheese outbreak? How is raw milk cheese different from other cheeses? What is E. coli and how do you know if you have it? What should you do if you get sick?
Here’s what we know so far.
Washington State Department of Health announced this week that they are investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections. They indicate that in addition to working with local, state, and federal public health partners, they are also coordinating with the Oregon Health Authority.
So far there have been three reported illnesses. One patient has been hospitalized.
Two individuals are adults and the other is a child (under five years old). Outbreak patients report feeling sick starting September 5 to September 16, 2025.
All patients have been diagnosed with STEC infections involving a strain of E. coli called O103. Genetic information from patient bacterial samples demonstrated “molecular fingerprinting” that is “extremely similar.” An indication that a common source is responsible for all three infections.
According to reports, the Oregon outbreak patient indicated that they consumed Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese prior to becoming sick.
Samples from an opened, leftover container of Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese tested positive for the outbreak strain of E. coli O103. Molecular fingerprinting data from this sample “is very similar to fingerprints from the case-organisms.”
Meaning, the cheese samples matched those of sick patients.
A second container of Twin Sisters Creamery cheese collected from a retail location by Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), this one unopened, also tested positive for the deadly germ. More unopened samples of cheese across multiple retail locations have been collected for testing.
The results of these tests are pending and should be available soon.
Washington State Department of Health says that “this investigation is ongoing” and that Twin Sisters Creamery is cooperating with the investigation.
In response to these findings, a recall for certain Twin Sisters Creamery cheese products has been announced.
The Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese recall includes four varieties of aged cheese produced after 5/27/2025. All sizes of Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed are included in this recall.
Specific product information includes:
In some cases, cheese products may be repackaged by grocery stores and markets. In these situations, the original label may not be present. However, the grocery store/market label should indicate the brand of cheese.
Recalled products include:
As the investigation continues, additional products may be recalled or identified as a possible source of infection in future updates.
This outbreak has been linked to aged, raw milk cheese. But what does that mean? How is this cheese any different from other cheeses?
Raw milk cheese is made from raw milk. As opposed to pasteurized milk.
What exactly is raw milk?
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized. A type of heat treatment performed at a certain temperature for a specific period of time that has been proven to kill various types of bacteria. This time/temperature combination can vary depending on what is being pasteurized and the type of pasteurization. Low-temp pasteurization, for example, undergoes longer periods of heat cycles to achieve pasteurization and lower temperatures.
The purpose of pasteurization is to kill bacteria responsible for many different types of illnesses. In addition to E. coli, other bacteria and viruses can be destroyed by pasteurization.
Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella are most commonly associated with this risky dairy product. However, other illnesses, such as brucellosis, Tuberculosis, and now the emergence of bird flu are also causes for concern.
According to the Washington State Department of Health announcement, the raw, unpasteurized milk-based cheese was “aged at least 60 days, as required by law, to reduce potential pathogens.” A duration that is generally known to prevent the spread of illness. A period, in this case, has proven insufficient.
What exactly is E. coli, and how bad is it?
E. coli is a bacterium that can be found in the digestive system of humans and animals. Certain E. coli strains, such as those in the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) category, are harmful to humans.
Even deadly.
When people ingest this bad bug, they become sick. Severity of infection can vary from person to person, ranging from mild to more severe.
Common symptoms include:
Some people may also experience a fever less than 101 °F. In most cases, people begin to feel sick around 3 to 4 days after eating or drinking something contaminated with the bacteria. For many, these symptoms can persist around 5 to 7 days before feeling better.
Many people can recover on their own without medical intervention, however you should seek medical attention if you have diarrhea lasting more than 3 days and a fever above 102 °F, bloody diarrhea, or so much vomiting that you become dehydrated.
In some cases, people with an STEC infection may develop a serious complication known as HUS.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, is a type of kidney failure that develops in about 5 to 10% of those diagnosed with STEC infection. It is a potentially life-threatening complication that prevents the kidneys from working properly.
HUS symptoms include:
HUS symptoms usually begin about 7 days after initial diarrheal symptoms and begin as the original intestinal symptoms start to improve. Those experiencing HUS symptoms should see a healthcare professional right away.
While most people with HUS recover within a few weeks, some may suffer permanent damage or even die from the illness. These symptoms should be taken very seriously.
If you have consumed potentially contaminated raw milk cheese, there are a few things you should do.
If you have consumed potentially contaminated Twin Sisters Creamery aged, raw milk cheese, you may become sick. In some cases, it could take a week or more for symptoms to appear. Seek medical attention if you become sick. Even if you are not severely ill. Your sample may be linked to this, or another outbreak investigation.
If you still have it, retain packaging and receipts if possible. Your purchase may help investigators narrow or widen the scope of the investigation. Your assistance may be able to help prevent others from becoming sick. If you still have product, package it up and label it in a way that others will not consume it. Keep the product refrigerated. Remaining product or batch information may be used for traceback investigational purposes.
Finally, reach out to an E. coli lawyer. E. coli infections can cause serious illness and loss. An E. coli lawyer can help answer questions, investigate your illness, and file a claim to recover the financial burden associated with your illness.
If you have become seriously ill with an E. coli infection from Twin Sisters Creamery Aged, Raw Milk cheese, or some other contaminated food 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
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