Cheddar cheese from Raw Farm, the largest raw milk distributor in the United States, has been identified as the 'likely source' of a multistate E. coli outbreak, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The outbreak involves the O157:H7 strain of the bacteria, which can cause severe symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and acute kidney failure.
Seven people have fallen ill between September 2025 and February, with the majority of cases occurring in children aged three and younger. The infections have been reported in California, Florida, and Texas. Despite the FDA's recommendation, Raw Farm has declined to voluntarily recall its products.
Raw Farm spokesperson Kaleigh Stanziani stated that the company '100% DISAGREE WITH THE FDA’S FALSE ‘POSSIBLE LINK’, AND EXTREME ALLEGATIONS'. She emphasised that all Raw Farm products have tested negative for harmful bacteria, including E. coli O157:H7, and denied any action by California authorities.
This incident follows a December 2024 recall of Raw Farm raw milk products after retail samples tested positive for bird flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long warned against raw milk consumption due to the risk of bacterial contamination. Despite this, raw milk consumption has risen, with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known advocate, pledging support for raw milk farmers.
