Raw Farm Recalls Raw Cheddar Cheese Amid Active E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Linked to Nine Illnesses

Raw Farm, LLC, a Fresno, California-based raw dairy producer, has issued a voluntary recall of multiple varieties of its raw milk cheddar cheese — including block and shredded products in retail and bulk sizes — amid an active multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. As of the latest update, nine people across three states have fallen ill, three have been hospitalized, and one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening form of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. The CDC, FDA, and public health and regulatory officials in several states are investigating the outbreak, and epidemiologic data show that Raw Farm brand raw cheese and raw milk may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

Quick Facts

• Company/Brand: Raw Farm, LLC (Fresno, California)
• Products Recalled: Multiple varieties of RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar Cheese (blocks and shredded, retail and bulk sizes — see full product list below)
• Recall Type: Voluntary
• Reason for Recall: Potential contamination with E. coli O157:H7 linked to an active multistate outbreak
• Date Announced: April 2, 2026 (updated April 7, 2026)
• Geographic Scope: Nationwide
• Recommended Consumer Action: Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled products. Discard or return to place of purchase for a full refund.
• Known Retail Locations: Ill people have reported purchasing RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese at Sprouts Farmers Market and H-E-B. There may be other retailers selling the product nationwide.
• Official Resources:
  • FDA Outbreak Page: fda.gov — Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Raw Cheddar Cheese (March 2026)
  • CDC Outbreak Page: cdc.gov — E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Dairy
  • Raw Farm Recall Notice (via FDA): fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/voluntary-recall

Recalled Products — Full List

The following RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheese products are included in the recall. This voluntary recall is limited to RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheese, and no other products are being recalled.

Item	Description	Size	Barcode	Batch Number	Expiration Date
1050	Raw Cheddar Original	8 oz block	835204001177	20251027-2	On or before 8/23/2026
1060	Raw Cheddar Original	80 oz block	835204001160	20251015-4	On or before 8/11/2026
1075	Raw Cheddar Original	16 oz block	835204000156	20251027-4	On or before 8/23/2026
1078	Raw Cheddar Jalapeño	16 oz block	835204000354	20251128-1J	On or before 9/24/2026
1080	Raw Cheddar Simply Shredded	8 oz bag	835204001184	20260212	On or before 5/13/2026
1090	Raw Cheddar Jalapeño	8 oz block	835204000330	20251128-2J	On or before 9/24/2026
2076	Raw Cheddar Simply Shredded	80 oz bag	835204000194	20260205	On or before 5/6/2026

Source: Food Poisoning Bulletin / Raw Farm voluntary recall notice via FDA. Consumers should verify the complete and most current list at fda.gov.

Detailed Recall Information

How the Outbreak Was Identified

During its investigation of the ongoing E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, the FDA detected E. coli O157:H7 in a product sample that matched a strain from a closed outbreak that occurred in 2025. More than half of the patients in the current outbreak are younger than five years old.

Of the eight people interviewed, seven reported consuming Raw Farm brand dairy products — representing 100% of those with brand information available. Five people in 2026 reported consuming Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese, while two sick people in 2025 reported consuming Raw Farm brand raw milk.

The Safety Risk

Symptoms begin anywhere from a few days to up to nine days after consuming contaminated food. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.

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Why Raw Dairy Poses Elevated Risk

Raw milk has not been pasteurized, which is the process that kills germs like E. coli, salmonella, listeria, and campylobacter. Because Raw Farm’s products are made from unpasteurized milk, they carry an inherently higher risk of harboring dangerous pathogens than their pasteurized counterparts.

Illness Data

The case count by state is: California (7), Florida (1), and Texas (1). The patient age range is from 1 to 28 years, with a median age of 2. More than half of the patients are under the age of 5. Illness onset dates range from September 1, 2025, to February 20, 2026. Three of the eight patients who provided information have been hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 37.5%. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.

Company’s Position

Raw Farm initiated the voluntary recall after weeks of refusing FDA’s advice to do so. The company released a statement alongside the recall asserting that it “continues to contest the epidemiological links provided by the FDA” and that no pathogens had been found in Raw Farm product samples or in samples collected by FDA or state public health departments. Raw Farm reported that this recall impacted approximately $1.5 million of its product.

Regulatory Oversight

This recall is being overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in coordination with the CDC and state health departments in California, Florida, and Texas. FDA is working with the firm and its customers to determine if any downstream recalls are necessary. The FDA initiated an onsite inspection and sample collection at Raw Farm, LLC, and analysis is ongoing.

Prior Recall History

This is not the first time Raw Farm has been implicated in an E. coli outbreak. A prior outbreak posted in March 2024 resulted in 11 illnesses and 5 hospitalizations across 5 states, with seven sick people reporting having eaten Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese in the week before they got sick. Raw Farm was also identified by CDC and FDA as the likely source of a similar 2024 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak traced to its raw cheddar cheese products.

What Consumers Should Do

1. Stop consuming the product immediately. Check your refrigerator and freezer for any of the recalled RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheeses listed above — both blocks and shredded varieties.
   
2. Discard or return the product. If you bought any of these cheeses, do not eat them, even if you plan to cook with them, because of the possibility of cross-contamination. You can throw them away in a secure trash can, or you can take them back to the place of purchase for a refund.
   
3. Clean surfaces and utensils. Wash items and surfaces that may have touched these cheeses using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
   
4. Monitor for symptoms. If you ate any of these cheeses or served them to others, monitor your health and theirs for the symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
   
5. Seek medical attention if you or someone in your household — especially a young child — develops severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, or signs of kidney problems such as decreased urination, unusual fatigue, or swelling. Inform your doctor that you may have consumed Raw Farm raw cheddar cheese.
   
6. Contact Raw Farm for recall-related questions: Visit rawfarm.com or refer to the contact information provided in the FDA recall notice.

Regulatory & Legal Context

The Congressional Research Service published a report summarizing FDA’s investigation and explaining FDA’s mandatory recall authority under FSMA (21 U.S.C. §350l), including conditions for triggering that authority, procedural requirements, and public notification obligations. While the company issued its recall voluntarily — and under protest — the FDA retains mandatory recall authority under FSMA if a company refuses to act and a reasonable probability of serious health consequences exists. No lawsuits or class action filings related to this specific 2026 outbreak have been publicly confirmed as of publication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which products are affected?

 Seven RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese products in various sizes are recalled — including original and jalapeño flavors in 8 oz, 16 oz, and 80 oz retail and bulk sizes, in block and shredded form. See the full product table above for item numbers, barcodes, batch numbers, and expiration dates.

Q: How do I know if I purchased an affected product? 

Check the expiration date, batch number, and barcode on your package against the table above. The recalled batches carry expiration dates spanning from May 2026 to September 2026. When in doubt, do not consume the product.

Q: What if I already ate some of the recalled cheese? 

Monitor your health and the health of anyone you served it to for symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Contact a healthcare provider promptly if symptoms appear, especially in children under five, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals.

Q: How do I get a refund? 

Consumers should return packages to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Q: Who regulates this recall and where can I find official information?

 This recall is overseen by the FDA, with coordination from the CDC and state health departments. Official information is available at the FDA outbreak page and the CDC outbreak page.

Q: What are the specific symptoms to watch for? 

Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting, beginning anywhere from a few days to up to nine days after consuming contaminated food. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS warning signs include reduced urination, extreme fatigue, and pale skin — seek emergency care immediately if these develop.

Q: Are children at greater risk?

 Yes. More than half of the patients in the current outbreak are younger than five years old. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals face the highest risk of severe illness from E. coli O157:H7.

Q: Is it safe to cook with the recalled cheese to kill any bacteria?

 No. Do not eat recalled cheeses, even if you plan to cook with them, because of the possibility of cross-contamination. Discard them or return them to the store.

Q: Has Raw Farm had E. coli problems before? 

Yes. A prior outbreak linked to Raw Farm was closed in 2024 and resulted in 11 illnesses and 5 hospitalizations across 5 states. This current outbreak represents at least the third time Raw Farm products have been linked to a federal E. coli investigation.

Last Updated: April 22, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only. The FDA’s investigation is ongoing, and product recall details may be updated. Always follow official recall guidance from Raw Farm, LLC, the FDA, and the CDC for the most current instructions.