FDA has recommended that RAW FARM, LLC, located in Fresno CA, voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market, and the firm has declined. As part of this investigation, state partners initiated collection of product samples for testing and analysis, but results are not yet available. FDA will update this advisory should additional information become available
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-raw-cheddar-cheese-march-2026
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Raw Cheddar Cheese (March 2026)
RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar Cheese linked to ongoing outbreak. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Content current as of: 03/15/2026
Product: RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar Cheeses
Some sick people reported eating RAW FARM-brand block and shredded cheddar cheeses.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 7
Hospitalizations: 2
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: February 13, 2026
States with Cases: CA, FL, TX
Product Distribution: Nationwide
Current Update March 15, 2026
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/rawcheese-03-26/investigation.html
Investigation Update: E. Coli Outbreak, March 2026
Key points
CDC, FDA, and public health officials in three states are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections linked to raw cheddar cheese sold by Raw Farm, LLC. Over half of the illnesses are in children under the age of 5. While the investigation is ongoing, if you have any of these affected cheeses in your home, consider not eating them.
March 15, 2026
CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and public health and regulatory officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections.
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.
As of March 14, 2026, a total of 7 confirmed infections have been reported from three states, including CA (5), FL (1), and TX (1). Known illness onset dates range from September 1, 2025 to February 13, 2026. Whole genome sequencing analysis of E. coli isolates from ill people shows that they are all closely related genetically to each other. This means that people in this outbreak are likely to share a common source of infection. Additionally, 4 of 7 cases are 3 years old or younger. Two patients have been hospitalized. No deaths or HUS cases have been reported.
State and local public health officials have interviewed 3 ill people about food exposures of interest in this outbreak. All 3 people (100%) reported eating RAW FARM- brand raw cheddar cheese. State and local officials are working to gather additional data for the 4 other illnesses, including 2 illnesses that occurred in 2025. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese products made by RAW FARM, LLC are the likely source of this outbreak.
FDA has recommended that RAW FARM, LLC voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market, and the firm has declined.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. To date, to FDA’s awareness, no RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheese products from this time period have tested positive for E. coli. As part of this investigation, state partners initiated collection of product samples for testing and analysis, but results are not yet available. FDA will update this advisory should additional information become available
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/rawcheese-03-26/investigation.html
Investigation Update: E. Coli Outbreak, March 2026
Key points
CDC, FDA, and public health officials in three states are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections linked to raw cheddar cheese sold by Raw Farm, LLC. Over half of the illnesses are in children under the age of 5. While the investigation is ongoing, if you have any of these affected cheeses in your home, consider not eating them.
March 15, 2026
CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and public health and regulatory officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections.
Epidemiologic data show that Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and may be making people sick.
Epidemiologic data
As of March 13, 2026, 7 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from 7 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from September 1, 2025 to February 13, 2026. Of 7 people with information available, 2 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E.coli. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Demographics
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Age
(n=7)
Range from 1 to 28 years
Median age of 3
Sex
(n=7)
29% female
71% male
Race
(n=4)
75% white
25% African American/Black
Ethnicity
(n=7)
86% non-Hispanic
14% Hispanic
Products consumed
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 3 people interviewed, all 3 (100%) reported eating Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese.
Laboratory and traceback data
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).
WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
Epidemiologic data
As of March 13, 2026, 7 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from 7 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from September 1, 2025 to February 13, 2026. Of 7 people with information available, 2 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E.coli. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Demographics
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Age
(n=7)
Range from 1 to 28 years
Median age of 3
Sex
(n=7)
29% female
71% male
Race
(n=4)
75% white
25% African American/Black
Ethnicity
(n=7)
86% non-Hispanic
14% Hispanic
Products consumed
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 3 people interviewed, all 3 (100%) reported eating Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese.
Laboratory and traceback data
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).
WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
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