At least seven people, including young children, have been affected by an E. coli food poisoning outbreak linked to cheddar cheese made from raw milk, according to federal health officials.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified Raw Farm, a California-based company, as the likely source of the outbreak, though no Raw Farm products have tested positive for E. coli during the investigation period.
Details of the Outbreak
The illnesses were reported between September 2025 and mid-February 2026, with five cases in California, and one each in Florida and Texas. The majority of those affected were children aged 3 or younger, with two individuals hospitalized.
While Raw Farm products have not been directly tested positive for E. coli, interviews with three affected individuals revealed that all reported consuming Raw Farm’s raw milk cheddar cheese.
Investigators also found that the E. coli isolates in samples from sick patients were genetically related, suggesting that the outbreaks were linked to the same source.
Raw Farm’s Response
Despite the FDA’s recommendation for Raw Farm to voluntarily remove its raw cheese products from sale, Mark McAfee, the owner of Raw Farm, refused to recall the products.
In an interview, McAfee stated, “They have found no pathogens in any of our products,” and criticized the FDA’s findings as premature, arguing that the link between the cheese and the illnesses has not been definitively established.
The FDA maintains that the evidence gathered so far—particularly the genetic connection between the E. coli strains in the affected patients—strongly suggests that Raw Farm’s cheddar cheese made from raw milk is the source of the outbreak.
Ongoing Investigation
Health authorities continue to investigate the source of the contamination and whether additional products from Raw Farm could be linked to the illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also urged consumers to avoid eating Raw Farm’s products while the investigation continues.
Health Officials’ Concerns
The outbreak highlights ongoing concerns over the safety of raw milk products, which are known to carry higher risks of contamination by harmful pathogens, including E. coli, due to the lack of pasteurization.
Health experts advise caution when consuming unpasteurized dairy products, especially for vulnerable populations, such as young children and the elderly.
The investigation into the E. coli outbreak linked to Raw Farm’s raw milk cheddar cheese is ongoing, and health officials continue to advise consumers to be cautious and avoid eating the implicated products.
The case also underscores the risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products, which can lead to severe foodborne illness.
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