Whole Food recalls cheese sold in D.C.

Be sure to leave Sally Jackson cheese out of your holiday cheese spread. (Domenica Marchetti)

Whole Foods is recalling cheese sold in its D.C. stores, along with California, Nevada, and Washington, because it may be contaminated with E coli bacteria.

The recalled cheese, from supplier Sally Jackson Cheese of Oroville, Wash., was cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label.

According to a federal inspection report released Wednesday, the artisan cheesemaker wore manure-soiled clothing during cheese production and milked livestock and stirred cheese curds with bare hands that went unwashed.

Owner Sally Jackson disputes findings in the report, but said she plans to shut down her business.

The recall affects the following Sally Jackson cheeses:

Cow's milk cheese
Goat's milk cheese
Sheep's milk cheese
Cow's milk cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves
Sheep's milk cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves
Goat's milk cheese wrapped in grape leaves

Customers who have purchased any of the listed products from Whole Foods Market may return them to the store for a full refund. Sally Jackson products are also distributed to other high-end retail shops, markets and restaurants.

The FDA is investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that has sickened at least eight people in Oregon and Washington.