CA Firm, Under Protest, Voluntarily Recalls Cheese Linked to E. coli Outbreak

Raw Farm, Fresno CA, has decided to voluntarily recall cheese product that FDA and CDC have linked to an E. coli outbreak.   CDC had initially posted this on February 16, 2026.  At that time, the report stated that there were 10 cases.  As of March 30, there agencies are stating that there are 9 cases that are linked to the cheese.   The company had declined to recall product stating their product was not involved, but on April 2, the company recalled the product under protest.

"Of the eight (8) people interviewed, seven (7) had brand information available. One (1) person drank raw milk but didn’t know the brand. Of the seven (7) people interviewed who knew a brand, seven (7) (100%) reported RAW FARM-brand dairy products. In 2026, five (5) people reported consuming or being served RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese. In 2025, two (2) sick people reported consuming RAW FARM-brand raw milk. Affected RAW FARM-brand raw milk from 2025 should no longer be for sale."

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 9 

Hospitalizations: 3

HUS: 1

Deaths: 0

Last Illness Onset: February 20, 2026

States with Cases: CA, FL, TX

Product Distribution: Nationwide

Comment:  FDA can recall product, but it is better for the company to voluntarily recall product where they can more control over that recall process.  In this case, the product may already be off the store shelf, however with many of the shelf life dates extending from May until September, some of this product may still be in people's refrigerators.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-recall
Voluntary Recall
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  April 02, 2026
FDA Publish Date:  April 02, 2026
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness – E. coli
Company Name:  Raw Farm
Brand Name:  RAW FARM
Product Description:  Raw milk cheddar cheese, shredded and block
Company Announcement

• No pathogens have been found in RAW FARM-brand cheese products.
• No pathogens have been found in FDA samples collected directly or samples collected by state Health Department officials.
• RAW FARM continues to contest the epidemiological links provided by the FDA.
• This Voluntary Recall is being performed under protest.
• This Voluntary Recall is performed as a path forward.

RAW FARM proudly makes truly raw cheddar cheese from milk that is not pasteurized or thermalized and is fully compliant with C.F.R section 133.113.

The FDA has issued an Advisory without batch numbers or expiration dates. At the request of the FDA, RAW FARM is issuing a Voluntary Recall of the batches of cheese below and any batches produced prior to these dates.

Item  Item Description    Batch  Expiration  Barcode
1050  8 oz Lightly Salted Cheddar Block  20251027-2 8/23/2026 835204001177
1060 80 oz Lightly Salted Cheddar Block 20251015-4 8/11/2026 835204001160
1075 16 oz Lightly Salted Cheddar Block 20251027-4  8/23/2026  835204000156
1076  80 oz Bag of Original Cheddar Shred 20260205 5/6/2026 835204000194
1078  16 oz Jalapeno Cheddar Block  20251128-1J  9/24/2026  835204000354
1080  8 oz Lightly Salted Cheddar Shred  20260212  5/13/2026  835204001184
1090  8 oz Jalapeno Cheddar Block  20251128-2J  9/24/2026  835204000330

This Voluntary Recall is limited to RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheese, and no other products are being Voluntarily Recalled.

Consumers should not consume the batches in this Voluntary Recall. We recommend the consumers return the packages to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. Information regarding the FDA Advisory can be found at the following link: Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Raw Cheddar Cheese (March 2026) | FDA.

If you have any questions or concerns, please report them immediately to RAW FARM via the link: Find — RAW FARM usaExternal Link Disclaimer.

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)

Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar Cheese. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Current Update

April 3, 2026

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to RAW FARM-brand raw dairy products. 

On April 2, 2026, RAW FARM, LLC initiated a voluntary recall of certain RAW FARM-brand cheeses. FDA is working with the firm and its customers to determine if any downstream recalls are necessary.

FDA initiated an onsite inspection and sample collection at RAW FARM, LLC in coordination with state partners. Sample analysis is ongoing but, at this time, FDA is not aware of any positive samples. If there are any positive test results, those results will be reported as they become available.

As of April 3, 2026, a total of nine (9) people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from three (3) states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from September 1, 2025, to February 20, 2026. Three (3) people have been hospitalized and one (1) person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. Over half of the illnesses are in children under five (5) years old.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing, and this advisory will be updated with new information as it becomes 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)

Do not eat, sell, or serve certain RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar Cheese. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Current Update

March 30, 2026

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to RAW FARM-brand raw dairy products. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

On March 26, 2026, the FDA and CDC provided an update on new cases (see March 26, 2026, update below). 

FDA has again recommended that RAW FARM, LLC voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market, and the firm has not responded.

FDA has initiated an onsite inspection and sample collection at RAW FARM, LLC in coordination with state partners. To date, FDA is not aware of any positive E. coli tests in RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese products from this time period. FDA will update this advisory should additional information become available.

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/rawcheese-03-26/investigation.html
Investigation Update: E. coli Outbreak, March 2026

Latest Update: March 30, 2026


CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and public health and regulatory officials in three states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections.

Epidemiologic data show that Raw Farm brand raw cheese and raw milk may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and may be making people sick.