E. coli Outbreak Expands with Raw Milk and Cheese from California Company
Health officials have reported that an expanding outbreak of E. coli food poisoning, linked to raw milk and cheddar cheese from a California producer, has now sickened nine individuals across multiple states. The outbreak, which was first announced on March 15, 2026, has been traced to products from Raw Farm, a company based in Fresno, California. This development raises significant concerns about food safety and the consumption of unpasteurized dairy items.
Children Most Affected in the Outbreak
Alarmingly, more than half of the illnesses associated with this outbreak involve children younger than five years old. Among the nine confirmed cases, three people have required hospitalization, and one has developed a dangerous type of kidney infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fortunately, no deaths have been reported so far, but the severity of symptoms in young children highlights the potential risks of consuming raw dairy products.
Geographic Spread and Investigation Details
The outbreak has affected individuals in several states, with two new cases added in California on Thursday, bringing the total number of ill people in that state to seven. Additionally, two others have fallen ill in Texas and Florida. Health officials have confirmed that illnesses occurred from September 2025 to mid-February 2026. Of the eight people interviewed by health authorities, seven reported consuming Raw Farm-brand products, as stated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Specifically, two individuals in 2025 reported drinking Raw Farm milk, while five people in 2026 said they ate or were served Raw Farm raw cheddar cheese. Genetic sequencing of E. coli strains from the sick individuals shows that they are all closely related, indicating a common source of infection, according to the FDA.
Raw Milk Trends and Regulatory Challenges
Interest in and sales of raw milk have been rising in recent years, driven by social media trends and growing support from movements such as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again initiative. Raw milk, which has not been pasteurized, lacks the process that kills harmful germs like E. coli, salmonella, listeria, and campylobacter, making it a potential vector for foodborne illnesses.
Despite the outbreak, FDA officials have noted that no Raw Farm products have tested positive for E. coli to date. However, the agency previously advised Raw Farm to recall its raw milk cheddar cheese from stores, a request the company refused. In response, Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro and members of the Congressional Food Safety Caucus have urged the FDA to use its mandatory recall authority to remove these products from the market. FDA officials have not yet indicated whether they will take this step.
Symptoms and Consumer Advisory
Symptoms of E. coli infection can be severe and include:
- Diarrhea that may be bloody or watery
- Stomach cramps that can be intense
- Vomiting or a low fever in some cases
The CDC has advised consumers to consider avoiding Raw Farm cheese while the investigation continues. Additionally, FDA and state health officials have conducted an inspection at a Raw Farm site to further assess the situation and ensure public safety.
This outbreak underscores the ongoing debate over raw milk consumption and the need for stringent food safety measures to protect vulnerable populations, especially young children, from serious health risks.
