3 E. coli cases in PNW linked to Twin Sisters Creamery cheese, recall announced

Three Pacific Northwest individuals have reported Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections linked to the consumption of aged, raw milk cheese from Twin Sisters Creamery in Ferndale, prompting a recall on Monday.

The illnesses occurred between Sept. 5 and Sept. 16, with two Washington patients and one person from Oregon who developed infections, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced.

One individual is a child, younger than 5 years old, and the other two are adults. Of the three cases, one individual has been hospitalized. Molecular fingerprinting of all three cases revealed extremely similar bacteria, suggesting there was a common source for each infection.

The Oregon individual reported consuming Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese before noticing symptoms. The cheese is aged for at least 60 days to reduce potential pathogens, which is required by law.

Multiple samples of Twin Sisters Creamery cheese have been collected for testing, including unopened and opened samples. Both tested positive for E. coli, and additional unopened samples of cheese from various locations have been collected and are pending results.

A side-by-side photo of Twin Sisters Creamery Peppercorn and Mustard Seed cheeses subject to a recall. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Health)

The company released an announcement urging consumers who have purchased Twin Sisters Creamery cheeses to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Twin Sisters Creamery claimed that batches of 2.5-pound round cheese wheels were shipped to distributors in Washington and Oregon between July 27, 2025, and October 22, 2025. Twin Sisters noted the products may have been further distributed for repacking or sold as pre-cut half-moon-shaped pieces with different lot numbers or expiration dates.

Twin Sisters Creamery cheeses recalled after E. coli symptoms linked

All sizes of Twin Sisters Creamery aged cheese produced on or after May 27, 2025, are being recalled from various varieties, including its Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed cheeses.

The following batches of Twin Sisters Creamery cheeses are subject to the recall:

• #450 Made on 5/27/2025 – Batch Code 250527B Whatcom Blue
• #452 Made on 6/10/2025 – Batch Code 250610B Whatcom Blue
• #454 Made on 6/18/2025 – Batch Code 250618B Whatcom Blue
• #455 Made on 6/24/2025 – Batch Code 250625B Whatcom Blue
• #451 Made on 6/03/2025 – Batch Code 250603F Farmhouse
• #453 Made on 6/16/2025 – Batch Code 250616B Farmhouse
• #451 Made on 6/03/2025 – Batch Code 250603P Peppercorn
• #453 Made on 6/16/2025 – Batch Code 250616 Mustard Seed

DOH advised consumers not to eat any recalled Twin Sisters cheeses, wash all items and surfaces that may have touched the cheese, and contact a healthcare provider if E. coli symptoms arise.

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