Raw Milk Cheese Linked to Multi-State E. coli Outbreak
Health officials in the United States are investigating a concerning E. coli outbreak linked to cheese products made with unpasteurized milk. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Sunday that seven individuals have been sickened, with two requiring hospitalization. Alarmingly, four of those affected are children under the age of three.
Contaminated Products and Patient Locations
All patients reported consuming RAW FARM-branded raw cheddar cheese, purchased in either block or shredded form from Sprout's grocery stores. The illnesses occurred between September 2025 and February 2026, with cases identified across three states:
- Five patients in California
- One patient in Florida
- One patient in Texas
Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the E. coli strain O157:H7, a particularly dangerous variant known to significantly increase the risk of severe kidney complications, hospitalization, and even death. This is the same bacterial strain implicated in a major 2024 McDonald's recall that resulted in one fatality and 34 hospitalizations.
Company Defiance and Public Health Warnings
Despite the evidence, RAW FARM – the nation's largest raw milk producer, operated by Mark McAfee, an advisor to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement – has refused to issue a voluntary recall. In an eight-minute video statement, a company spokesman asserted, "We disagree 100 percent with the allegations made by the FDA and CDC. All our milk is tested prior to making cheese and our finished cheese is tested prior to release."
Health authorities are urging consumers to take immediate action:
- Discard any RAW FARM block or shredded cheddar cheese.
- Thoroughly clean any surfaces the cheese may have contacted using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher cycle.
- Monitor for symptoms if recently consumed, including a fever of 102°F (39°C), diarrhea lasting more than three days, or vomiting.
While no deaths have been reported, officials strongly encourage anyone who believes they were sickened by the product to come forward for investigation and support.
Ongoing Investigation and Historical Context
The FDA and CDC are actively interviewing patients and collaborating with state agencies to test the company's cheese products for E. coli contamination. The precise source remains unclear, though historical data suggests contamination often originates from cow feces entering the milk supply.
This incident highlights the ongoing debate over raw milk products, which skip the pasteurization process – heating to 161°F (71.5°C) for several seconds – designed to eliminate dangerous pathogens. The CDC consistently warns that consuming raw milk or cheeses made from it elevates the risk of exposure to germs like E. coli, listeria, and salmonella. This risk is especially acute for young children under five, adults over 65, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Notably, RAW FARM's products were also tied to a 2024 nationwide salmonella outbreak that sickened 165 people. The company's association with the MAHA movement, which includes vocal advocates like RFK Jr. promoting raw milk for alleged health benefits, adds a layer of political and public health complexity to the current crisis.
