Whatcom Cheese Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Twin Sisters Creamery of Ferndale, Washington voluntarily recalled four raw-milk cheeses on October 25, 2025, after testing found Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and E. coli O103 in the products. Peterson Company, which repackaged some of that cheese, recalled its pieces the next day, and federal regulators published both notices October 27, 2025. The cheese reached Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Idaho retailers and restaurants between July and October 2025. Washington’s health department linked ten confirmed STEC illnesses, including one hospitalization, to the cheese. The investigation is now closed, listed as “Outbreak is over,” but no lawsuit has been filed. Anyone with the cheese should discard or return it.

Latest Whatcom Cheese Recall Updates

December 10, 2025: Washington Marks the Outbreak Over

The Washington State Department of Health last updated its outbreak page on December 10, 2025, changing the listed status to “Outbreak is over” [1]. The final tally was nine Washington cases and one hospitalization, plus the Oregon case reported earlier. No cases have been added since November 12, and neither FDA notice lists a separate end date for the underlying recalls.

November 12, 2025: Case Count Reaches Ten

Washington’s health department added one more Washington resident to the same outbreak page cited above. That raised the confirmed total to ten cases: nine in Washington and one in Oregon. Every case in that final count reported symptoms before the October 24, 2025 recall, and none has been reported since. This was the outbreak’s last case added, and the remedy did not change.

November 6, 2025: Lab Testing Finds Two E. Coli Strains

Washington’s health department reported that cheese samples had tested positive for two STEC strains: E. coli O103, matched to three cases, and E. coli O26, matched to six Washington cases. The O103 match involved Farmhouse and Whatcom Blue cheese. The O26 match involved Peppercorn Farmhouse cheese, fingerprint-matched to Twin Sisters Creamery product collected from a patient’s home, strengthening the case for a common source.

November 3, 2025: Twin Sisters Creamery Reissues Refund Instructions

Whatcom County Health posted a statement from Twin Sisters Creamery owners Lindsay and Jeff Slevin [2]. The owners said lab retesting had helped identify the affected batches. Customers cannot tell which batch they bought from a retail purchase alone. The owners again told consumers to discard the cheese or contact the company for a refund. The codes and phone number did not change.

October 27, 2025: FDA Publishes Both Recall Notices

The FDA published Twin Sisters Creamery’s recall notice on October 27, 2025 [3]. The same day, Washington’s health department opened its investigation and reported an initial three STEC cases: two in Washington and one in Oregon. The Oregon patient’s leftover Farmhouse cheese sample tested positive for E. coli O103, matching the case-organisms and pointing investigators toward the cheese as a common source.

October 26, 2025: Peterson Company Recalls Its Repackaged Cheese

Peterson Company of Auburn, Washington recalled its repackaged Twin Sisters Creamery item #28855 Whatcom Blue and item #29608 Farmhouse cheese pieces [4]. The company said the recall followed notice from its supplier, Twin Sisters Creamery. The repackaged pieces were not themselves linked to any reported illness.

October 25, 2025: Twin Sisters Creamery Recalls Four Cheeses

Twin Sisters Creamery voluntarily recalled its Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed raw-milk cheese under the same FDA notice linked above, after lab testing tied the cheese to E. coli contamination, the first of two linked recalls. The affected wheels, sold as whole 2.5-pound rounds, had shipped to Oregon and Washington distributors and retail repackers between July 27 and October 22, 2025.

Which Whatcom Cheese Are Affected?

The recall covers four Twin Sisters Creamery raw-milk cheeses. They were sold both as whole wheels and as repackaged pieces under Peterson Company’s item numbers. Check the code on the package:

• Whatcom Blue 2.5 lb round wheels, batch codes 250527B, 250610B, 250618B, and 250624B
• Farmhouse 2.5 lb round wheels, batch codes 250603F and 250616B
• Peppercorn 2.5 lb round wheels, batch code 250603P
• Mustard Seed 2.5 lb round wheels, batch code 250616M
• Peterson Company item #28855 Whatcom Blue pieces, MFG codes 793511, 781511, 775511, and 761511
• Peterson Company item #29608 Farmhouse pieces, MFG codes 765511, 752511, 738511, and 726511

The Peterson Company pieces are roughly 5-6 oz half-moon shapes wrapped in clear plastic. The code is ink-jet printed or on a small sticker. No other Twin Sisters Creamery product was named in either notice.

Why Was Whatcom Cheese Recalled?

Twin Sisters Creamery recalled its cheese because testing found Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and E. coli O103 in it. A third-party lab confirmed E. coli O103 in a Farmhouse sample. State and federal testing separately detected STEC in Whatcom Blue samples. Peterson Company recalled its repackaged pieces for the same reason, since they came from the same contaminated supply. The cheese was made from raw, unpasteurized milk and aged at least 60 days. That step is required by law to reduce pathogens before sale, but it did not eliminate the contamination in this batch. STEC bacteria can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, and can lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in some patients. About 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed E. coli infections progress to that kidney complication, according to the CDC [5].

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

Washington’s health department verified ten STEC infections tied to the recalled cheese as of November 12, 2025. Nine were Washington residents and one was an Oregon resident. One of those ten cases required hospitalization. All ten people reported symptoms before the cheese was recalled on October 24, 2025. The agency closed its investigation, listing it as “Outbreak is over” on its December 10, 2025 update, with no cases added after November 12. These figures include only confirmed, lab-matched infections, not everyone who got sick but was never tested for STEC. A report alone does not prove that one package caused one illness.

What Should Consumers Do?

Anyone with Twin Sisters Creamery or Peterson Company cheese from this recall should take the following steps to stay safe and get a refund:

1. Check your refrigerator or freezer for cheese matching the batch or item numbers listed above.
2. Do not eat any cheese that matches those numbers, even if it looks and smells normal.
3. Throw the cheese away, or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
4. Clean and sanitize refrigerator shelves, containers, and cutting surfaces the cheese may have touched.
5. Contact Twin Sisters Creamery at 360-656-5240 (Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-5pm PT) or Peterson Company at (800) 735-0313, extension 2101, with questions about a refund.
6. Watch for STEC symptoms: severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody, nausea, vomiting, or a low-grade fever. These typically appear one to ten days after eating contaminated cheese.
7. Call a healthcare provider if symptoms develop. Seek emergency care right away for signs of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, such as decreased urination, extreme fatigue, or unexplained bruising.

Legal Options

No lawsuit over the Whatcom cheese recall has been filed. Plaintiff-side firms are only gathering information from sick consumers, keeping the matter at the investigation stage rather than litigation. A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation. Anyone who became ill after eating the cheese can have their case reviewed individually before pursuing a claim.

Filing Deadlines

Deadlines for a foodborne-illness claim come from state law rather than the recall, and vary by where the sick person lives. They also depend on when the illness and diagnosis happened, rather than when the cheese was bought. Missing that window can end a claim over this cheese, no matter how strong the facts are. Anyone considering a claim should check with a lawyer promptly. These are general rules. Only an individual review can confirm how they apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Symptoms of E. Coli from Raw Milk Cheese?

The symptoms of E. coli from raw milk cheese include severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and a low-grade fever. These usually start one to ten days after exposure. Because these symptoms can mimic other stomach illnesses, a doctor needs a specific lab test to confirm E. coli.

Can I File a Whatcom Cheese Recall Lawsuit?

Filing a Whatcom cheese recall lawsuit isn’t possible yet since none has been filed. Save your receipt, the cheese’s batch or item code, and medical records of a diagnosed STEC or E. coli infection in case filing becomes possible later.

Is There a Phone Number for FDA Recall Questions?

Yes, the FDA’s phone number for recall questions is 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332). Calling it connects consumers with agency staff who can answer general questions about the Twin Sisters Creamery and Peterson Company cheese recalls, though it does not replace contacting either company about a refund.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from an E. Coli Infection?

Recovery from an E. coli infection usually takes five to seven days, according to Food Safety News’ reporting on CDC guidance. The smaller share of patients who develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome may need hospital care and a longer recovery.

What Should I Do If I’m Not Sure Which Whatcom Cheese I Bought?

If you’re not sure which Whatcom cheese you bought, check the packaging for the item and batch codes listed above, since Whatcom cheese was sold under several names during the recall. When no code matches, treat the cheese as recalled and discard it or return it for a refund.

Where Can I Report a Suspected E. Coli Illness from This Cheese?

You can report a suspected E. coli illness from this cheese through the FDA’s MedWatch program or to Washington’s health department, in addition to telling your own doctor. Health agencies use these reports to track outbreaks and confirm how many people were affected.

References

1. https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/foodborne-illness/outbreaks/2025-outbreak-shiga-toxin-producing-e-coli-stec-infections-linked-twin-sisters-creamery-aged-raw
2. https://www.whatcomcounty.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5205
3. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/twin-sisters-creamery-recalls-whatcom-blue-farmhouse-peppercorn-and-mustard-seed-cheese-products
4. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/peterson-company-recalls-twin-sisters-creamery-brand-whatcom-blue-and-farmhouse-cheese-products
5. https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/10/cheese-linked-to-e-coli-outbreak-recalled/