FDA Finds E. coli in Raw Farm Cheese Matching a Second Outbreak
During its investigation of an ongoing Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak involving Raw Farm-brand raw (unpasteurized) cheddar cheese, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected E. coli O517:H7 in a product sample not matching the current outbreak strain, instead matching a strain from a closed outbreak that occurred in 2025.
Current E. coli Outbreak and Ongoing Investigation
At present, nine people in three states have been identified in the current outbreak. More than half of the patients in the outbreak are younger than five years old. Cases have been reported in California (seven), Texas (one), and Florida (one). The illnesses range between September 1, 2025 and February 20, 2026.
Epidemiologic evidence points to raw dairy products produced by Raw Farm LLC of Fresno, California as the likely vehicle of illness, with seven of eight interviewed patients reportedly consuming Raw Farm-brand dairy products prior to illness and the eighth patient consuming raw milk of an unknown brand.
Following up on the epidemiological evidence, FDA initiated an onsite inspection and sample collection at Raw Farm’s Fresno site in coordination with state partners. To date, FDA has collected and analyzed 19 samples of Raw Farm raw cheddar cheese products, one of which tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Sample testing and analyses by state partners are still ongoing.
E. coli Found in Raw Farm Cheese Sample Matches Different Outbreak
The E. coli strain detected in the cheddar cheese product is different from the strain causing the current outbreak, but it does match illnesses from a different 2025 outbreak investigated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 2025 outbreak is not ongoing, but CDC and states are following up to determine if there is any epidemiologic information from that 2025 outbreak that shows if those sick individuals consumed any Raw Farm-brand products.
The raw cheddar cheese that tested positive for E. coli was not shipped to stores and is not available for sale.
Raw Farm Recalls and Protests
On April 2, 2026, responding to the currently ongoing outbreak, Raw Farm initiated a voluntary, limited recall after weeks of refusing FDA’s advice to do so. The company released a statement alongside the recall, which stated that the recall was being “performed under protest” and “as a path forward.” It also asserted that the company “continues to contest the epidemiological links provided by the FDA” and that no pathogens had (at the time) been found in Raw Farm product samples or in samples collected by FDA or state public health departments.
Looking for quick answers on food safety topics?
Try Ask FSM, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask FSM →
This statement was updated by Raw Farm on April 7 to withdraw the comment “this voluntary recall is being performed under protest” and “this voluntary recall is performed as a path forward,” replacing them with the comments “Raw Farm continues to contest the epidemiological links provided by FDA” and “while Raw Farm reserves its rights and disputes being the cause of this outbreak, in the interest of public health and safety, Raw Farm issues this voluntary recall.”
The full recall announcement and product information can be found 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, 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.
