Deadly E. Coli Outbreak Tied to RAW FARM Cheese Affects 7, Includes Young Children

A deadly E. coli outbreak has spread across multiple states, linked to a popular raw milk cheddar cheese product sold by RAW FARM. Two Americans have been hospitalized, and seven individuals—four of them children under three years old—are now sickened after consuming the brand's block or shredded cheddar cheese from Sprout's grocery stores. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Sunday that patients were infected with E. coli O157:H7, a strain notorious for causing severe kidney complications, hospitalizations, and even death.

The outbreak spans five states: California accounts for five cases, while one each is reported in Florida and Texas. Illnesses occurred between September 2025 and February 2026, with symptoms including high fevers (102°F), persistent diarrhea lasting more than three days, or vomiting. Health officials have issued urgent warnings to consumers, urging them to discard any RAW FARM-branded cheddar cheese in block or shredded form sold at Sprout's stores.

FDA and CDC investigators are working with state agencies to test the company's products for E. coli contamination. Despite repeated requests, RAW FARM has refused to recall its cheeses. The company claims all milk is tested before processing and that finished cheese undergoes additional checks prior to sale. A spokesperson in an eight-minute video statement declared