Multistate E. coli Outbreak Likely Caused by Raw Cheese, but Manufacturer Refuses to Recall
Raw (unpasteurized) cheese products have been implicated as the likely vehicle of illness in a multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections affecting mostly young children—but the producing firm has so far refused to issue a voluntary recall.
Outbreak Case Details
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported seven confirmed infections in California (five cases), Florida (one), and Texas (one), including two hospitalizations. Most cases (four) involve patients who are three years of age or younger. Known illness onset dates range from September 1, 2025 to February 13, 2026.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis determined the genetic relatedness of clinical E. coli isolates.
Epidemiologic Evidence Points to RAW FARM-Brand Raw Cheddar Cheese
State and local public health officials have interviewed three patients about food exposures of interest in this outbreak, all of whom reported eating RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese. State and local officials are working to gather additional data for the four other illnesses, including two illnesses that occurred in 2025.
Epidemiologic evidence indicates that RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese products made by RAW FARM LLC are the likely source of the outbreak.
FDA has recommended that RAW FARM LLC voluntarily remove its raw cheese products from the market, and the firm has declined.
In a statement to Food Safety Magazine explaining why Raw Farm opposed a recall, Founder Mark McAfee said the company "operates a ThermoFisher PCR pathogen lab and had 14,000 negative test results for the time period [in which people fell ill."
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Confirmatory Product Testing Ongoing
To FDA’s awareness, no RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheese products from the outbreak period have yet tested positive for E. coli. As part of the investigation, state partners have begun collecting product samples for testing and analysis, but results are not yet available.
An investigation by FDA is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses.
Update, March 26, 2026: FDA has begun an inspection of Raw Farm's facility. A congressional caucus has urged FDA to mandate a recall of Raw Farms' product.
Update, April 16, 2026: During its investigation of the ongoing outbreak involving Raw Farm cheddar cheese, FDA detected E. coli O157:H7 in a product sample not matching the current outbreak strain, but instead matching a strain from a different 2025 outbreak. Details here.
Update, April 30, 2026: The outbreak has ended. Congressmembers questioned why FDA did not use its mandatory recall authority in this outbreak during an April 29 hearing. Read more here.
Update, May 4, 2026: The article was edited to include a statement from Raw Farm.
Update, July 16, 2026: According to a newly published Executive Incident Summary (EIS) from FDA, "Based on the combined epidemiologic, limited traceback, and laboratory data, raw cheddar cheese and raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC were confirmed as the outbreak vehicle. Epidemiologic analysis and a limited traceback investigation identified Raw Farm, LLC as the common supplier for raw cheddar cheese products consumed by or served to cases included in this outbreak. Full scope, for-cause inspections with sample and data collection were performed at three Raw Farm, LLC locations. As a result of each of these inspections, FDA Form 483s were issued for inadequate maintenance of equipment, lack of preventive controls, and unsanitary handling of product during processing and production.
