Twin Sisters Creamery Recalls Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed Cheese Over Possible E. coli Contamination

FERNDALE, Wash. (October 28, 2025) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Twin Sisters Creamery of Ferndale, Washington, is voluntarily recalling multiple cheese products due to potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and E. coli O103. According to the FDA, the recall affects Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed cheeses made from raw, unpasteurized milk and aged at least 60 days. Regulators said these organisms can cause serious illness, particularly in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Twin Sisters Creamery recall: quick summary

Twin Sisters Creamery is recalling select cheese products after third-party and regulatory testing detected E. coli O103 and STEC in some samples. The recall covers 2.5-pound round cheese wheels of Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed varieties shipped to distributors in Oregon and Washington between July 27 and October 22, 2025. Products may have been further distributed to retail stores, sold pre-cut, or repackaged. Consumers are urged not to consume these products, and the FDA advises returning them to the point of purchase for a refund. To date, three STEC-related infections have been reported in the affected states.

What happened?

The FDA said Twin Sisters Creamery initiated the recall after testing revealed the presence of E. coli O103 in Farmhouse cheese and STEC in Whatcom Blue samples. The company told regulators it became aware of the issue during routine third-party and state lab testing.

The recall was announced on October 25, 2025, in coordination with the FDA and state authorities. The affected 2.5-pound cheese wheels were shipped to distributors in Oregon and Washington and may have been sold as pre-cut half-moon pieces with varying lot numbers or expiration dates. Batch codes include:

• 250527B, 250610B, 250618B, 250624B — Whatcom Blue
• 250603F, 250616B — Farmhouse
• 250603P — Peppercorn
• 250616M — Mustard Seed

According to the FDA, “Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.” The agency also noted that E. coli O103 can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, and in some cases may lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition affecting the kidneys.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	Best by Date	Issue	Affected States
Twin Sisters Creamery	Whatcom Blue	2.5lb	Various	STEC	OR, WA
Twin Sisters Creamery	Farmhouse	2.5lb	Various	E. coli O103	OR, WA
Twin Sisters Creamery	Peppercorn	2.5lb	Various	STEC	OR, WA
Twin Sisters Creamery	Mustard Seed	2.5lb	Various	STEC	OR, WA

What caused the issue?

The recall stems from contamination with STEC and E. coli O103 in raw milk cheeses, the agency reported. These bacteria can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, including abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a potential complication, can lead to kidney failure and is especially dangerous for young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. No additional illnesses beyond the three reported cases have been confirmed.

Questions you might have

What should I do if I have already consumed this product?
Contact a healthcare professional immediately if you experience symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or severe abdominal pain.

How can I identify if I have the recalled product?
Check the batch codes on 2.5-pound round cheese wheels of Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, or Mustard Seed cheeses. Pre-cut pieces may also be affected.

What are the symptoms of E. coli exposure?
Symptoms may include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or persistent.

Here’s what you should do

Consumers should return the cheese to the point of purchase for a full refund or safely dispose of it. Clean and sanitize any surfaces that came in contact with the cheese. Contact Twin Sisters Creamery at 360-656-5240 (Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. PT) with questions.

• Do not consume recalled products.
• Check the label for affected batch codes.
• Contact the brand for refunds or further guidance.

Behind the brand

Twin Sisters Creamery is a Ferndale-based producer of artisan cheeses made from raw milk, with an emphasis on traditional aging processes. The company’s recall notice states that it has “ceased distribution of the affected product” and is working closely with the FDA and local retailers.

Other relevant recalls

Recent recalls of food products (including those from Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, NPC Processing Inc., Bismillah Halal Meats, and 4Earth Farms) highlight ongoing concerns with E. coli contamination across a variety of food categories. These cases underscore the importance of rigorous testing, sanitation, and traceability to protect consumers from serious illness.

A study published in the journal Microorganisms discussed the mechanisms of E. coli contamination in dairy products, explaining that “Ruminants (cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep) are the main reservoir of STEC. Infected ruminants harbor the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract without any symptoms of illness and shed them in their feces. Raw milk can reduce the adhesion of STEC strains to host intestinal cells.”

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Regulatory context

This recall is part of a broader pattern of raw milk and artisan cheese recalls due to bacterial contamination in the Pacific Northwest. Over the past year, several companies have issued similar alerts for E. coli and STEC in unpasteurized dairy products.

Ensuring safe eats

Recalls like this underscore the need for vigilance in food safety, particularly with raw milk products. Companies should implement strict testing, sanitation, and traceability protocols. Consumers should check their homes for affected products and follow the FDA’s guidance.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision, ensuring that when recalls happen, supply chains are prepared to respond quickly. Contact us!

FAQs