What We Know About the Raw Farm Cheese E. coli Outbreak
CDC, FDA, and public health officials in three states investigated an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese and raw milk. The outbreak was declared over on April 30, 2026. A total of 9 people across California, Florida, and Texas were sickened, with 3 hospitalizations and 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths were reported.
Over half the victims were children under 5. The median age was 2. Ages ranged from 1 to 28, with 67% of cases in males.
100% Exposure Rate in Interviews
Of the 8 people interviewed, all 8 (100%) reported consuming unpasteurized milk or cheese. All 7 who knew the brand named Raw Farm. In 2026, 5 people reported eating Raw Farm raw cheddar cheese. In 2025, 2 people reported drinking Raw Farm raw milk. Whole genome sequencing showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples were closely related genetically, indicating a common food source. When interviews point to one product and genetic analysis ties the illnesses together, liability questions follow.
Raw Farm Delayed Recall for Over Two Weeks
On March 15, 2026, the FDA recommended that Raw Farm, LLC voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market. Raw Farm declined. The company didn’t act until April 2, 2026, when it issued a voluntary recall covering all its raw cheddar blocks, shredded cheese and bulk products with best-by dates on or before the listed dates. Raw Farm said it disputes being the cause, but FDA’s final outbreak summary confirmed its raw cheddar cheese and raw milk as the source and cited three Raw Farm locations for problems including unsanitary handling of product.
During the FDA’s onsite inspection, the agency collected and analyzed 19 samples of Raw Farm cheese. One sample tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, but whole genome sequencing showed it matched a different 2025 outbreak strain, not the current one. That positive sample was not distributed to stores. State partner sample testing did not identify a product sample matching the outbreak strain.
The Recalled Products
Raw Farm, LLC is based in Fresno, California. The recall covers:
- Raw Farm Raw Cheddar (block, 8 oz and 16 oz, original flavor, best-by on or before 8/23/2026)
- Raw Farm Raw Cheddar (block, 8 oz and 16 oz, jalapeno flavor, best-by on or before 9/24/2026)
- Raw Farm Raw Cheddar Simply Shredded (8 oz, original flavor, best-by on or before 5/13/2026)
- Raw Farm Raw Cheddar (80 oz bulk block, best-by on or before 8/11/2026)
- Raw Farm Raw Cheddar Simply Shredded (80 oz bulk, best-by on or before 5/6/2026)
All products are made with whole raw milk and aged a minimum of 60 days. They were sold at retailers nationwide, including Sprouts Farmers Market and H-E-B. Federal rules require that 60-day aging to eliminate harmful bacteria, and this outbreak shows aging alone may not prevent E. coli O157:H7 contamination.
This Is Not Raw Farm’s First E. coli Outbreak
In February 2024, the FDA investigated an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to the same Raw Farm raw cheddar cheese products. That outbreak sickened 11 people across 5 states, hospitalized 5, and caused 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the kidney failure complication most dangerous to young children.
Raw Farm initially issued a voluntary recall on February 16, 2024. Ten days later, on February 26, Raw Farm withdrew the recall while the outbreak investigation was still active, despite the FDA stating that epidemiologic evidence showed Raw Farm cheese was the likely source.
Between September 2023 and March 2024, a separate Salmonella outbreak linked to Raw Farm raw milk sickened 171 people in California and four other states. Later in 2024, Raw Farm was ordered to recall raw milk products twice after testing detected bird flu (H5N1) contamination.
The pattern matters legally. A company with a documented history of contamination events involving the same product and the same pathogen faces a harder time arguing it had no knowledge of the risk.
Why E. coli O157:H7 Is a Serious Threat to Children
E. coli O157:H7 produces Shiga toxin, which can damage the lining of blood vessels and organs. While most healthy adults recover in 5 to 7 days, young children and older adults are at risk for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication that can cause:
- Kidney failure requiring dialysis
- Destruction of red blood cells and low platelet counts
- Permanent kidney damage in severe cases
Your Legal Rights
If you or your child consumed Raw Farm raw cheddar cheese and developed E. coli symptoms, your family may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, hospitalization costs, pain and suffering, and other damages. Claims involving children with HUS or kidney injury may include long-term medical costs because of how serious these complications can be.
Raw Farm’s delay matters too. The company was put on notice on March 15 that its product may have caused serious illness in children, yet the cheese stayed on store shelves for over two weeks. That decision can be central to negligence and recklessness claims.
Ron Simon & Associates is a food poisoning law firm that has recovered over $850 million for victims nationwide. Our attorneys have an exclusive focus on foodborne illness litigation and are actively investigating this outbreak. You pay us nothing unless we win your case.