E. coli Outbreak: Raw Cheese Sickens Seven

• Health officials link E. coli cases to Raw Farm cheddar, impacting three US states.
• Seven people, including young children, are ill; two needed hospitalization from Sept '25.
• Raw Farm refuses FDA recall; CDC advises consumers to avoid products until further notice.

Seven individuals, including young children, have contracted E. coli food poisoning associated with cheddar cheese produced from raw milk, according to

federal health officials. The outbreak has been reported across three states, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identifying the California-based company Raw Farm as the likely source. Although the FDA has not confirmed the presence of E. coli in any Raw Farm products during the outbreak period, officials noted that illnesses occurred between September 2025 and mid-February, with the majority of cases reported in California, and one case each in Florida and Texas.

Details of the Outbreak

The outbreak has primarily affected children aged three years and younger, with two individuals requiring hospitalization. The FDA has recommended that Raw Farm voluntarily withdraw its raw cheese products from the market; however, the company has opted not to comply with this suggestion.

Consumer Warnings

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised consumers to consider refraining from consuming Raw Farm products. This guidance follows the investigation into the outbreak, which has prompted health officials to gather additional information regarding the cases.

Company Response

Mark McAfee, the owner of Raw Farm, has stated that he will not recall the products, citing a lack of definitive evidence linking them to the illnesses. In an interview, he emphasized that investigators have not detected pathogens in any of their products and argued that the FDA's announcement regarding the outbreak was premature.

Investigative Findings

Interviews conducted by the FDA with three individuals who became ill revealed that all had consumed Raw Farm brand raw milk cheddar cheese. Genetic analysis of E. coli samples from the affected patients indicated a close genetic relationship, prompting further investigation into the outbreak.

Health officials continue to collect data on the remaining four reported cases to determine the source of contamination and assess whether other products may be implicated in the illnesses.