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E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese, Officials Urge Caution
Federal health officials are investigating an E. coli food poisoning outbreak that has sickened at least seven people across three states, including young children. The illnesses have been linked to cheddar cheese made from raw milk by California-based Raw Farm.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Raw Farm’s raw milk cheddar cheese is the “likely source” of the outbreak, though no products have tested positive for E. coli during the investigation period.
Cases were reported between September 2025 and mid-February, with five in California and one each in Florida and Texas. Over half of those affected were children aged 3 or younger, and two individuals required hospitalization.
The FDA recommended that Raw Farm voluntarily recall its raw cheese products, but the company has declined. Mark McAfee, owner of Raw Farm, stated he refused to issue a recall, citing a lack of definitive links between his products and the illnesses. “They have found no pathogens in any of our products,” McAfee said, disputing the FDA’s findings of genetically linked cases and calling the outbreak announcement premature.
However, the FDA reports that interviews with three sick individuals confirmed they all consumed Raw Farm brand raw milk cheddar cheese. Furthermore, analysis of patient samples revealed the E. coli isolates causing their infections were closely genetically related.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged consumers to “consider not eating” the products. Officials are continuing to gather information on the remaining four cases and are working to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are involved.