In March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it found the root cause of a multistate E. coli outbreak: a specific kind of raw cheese. However, no recall notice has been issued, as the producer has refused to do so. Here's what you need to know about the cheese, how to protect yourself, and more on how a company can refuse a recall in the first place.
What, exactly, did the FDA identify?
According to the FDA’s March announcement, the agency linked RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar Cheeses to the outbreak.
"As of March 14, 2026, a total of seven confirmed infections have been reported from three states," the FDA wrote, including five in California, one in Florida, and one in Texas. "Known illness onset dates range from September 1, 2025, to February 13, 2026."
The FDA explained that it conducted whole genome sequencing and found that all the E.coli isolates from the seven cases are "closely related genetically to each other,” suggesting a common source of infection.
Of the seven infected, four are children aged 3 and under.
What cheese, specifically, caused this?
Per the FDA, the two Raw Farm-brand products include:
- All sizes of the original block Raw Cheddar
- All sizes of the original shredded Raw Cheddar
So, why wasn't this cheese recalled?
The FDA explained that most food recalls are voluntarily initiated by the manufacturer or distributor. However, in some cases, the agency can request or mandate a recall. There are also instances where violations can be corrected and products returned to the marketplace.
As for why Raw Farm didn't recall its own products, the company says it disagrees with the findings.
“We disagree 100% with the allegations made by the FDA and CDC,” the company said in a statement. “All our milk is tested prior to making cheese, and our finished cheese is tested prior to release. We have no customer complaints at this time.”
What should consumers do?
The FDA warned that the strain of E. coli identified in this outbreak can "cause serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS), which requires hospitalization and can lead to death."
The agency is urging consumers and retailers to educate themselves on all the information it provided before deciding whether to eat RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheeses or serve them, especially to children. It also recommends thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces or containers that may have come into contact with the products.
Is raw milk and cheese safe?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns against consuming raw milk and raw milk cheeses, as they can expose people to harmful bacteria like this strain of E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.
"It's important to understand that raw milk can be a source of foodborne illness," the CDC states. "While good practices on farms can reduce contamination, they cannot guarantee safety from harmful germs. Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption. Since the early 1900s, pasteurization has greatly reduced milk-borne illnesses."
