E. coli Outbreak Linked to RAW FARM Cheese Products Prompts Nationwide Recall, Nine Ill, Three Hospitalized

Cheese products linked to a dangerous E. coli outbreak are being removed from store shelves nationwide as health officials scramble to contain the crisis. Nine people have fallen ill, with three hospitalized in critical condition, all of whom reportedly consumed RAW FARM-branded raw milk or cheddar cheese. The situation escalated when Sprouts Farmers Market, one of the major retailers carrying the products, issued an urgent recall, urging customers to stop eating and immediately discard any RAW FARM raw cheddar cheeses. A spokesperson for the grocery chain stated, "RAW FARM raw cheddar cheeses are being withdrawn from sale due to potential E. coli contamination per FDA advisory. Please do not consume any variety of RAW FARM raw cheddar cheese."

The outbreak has sparked widespread concern, with other retailers like H-E-B also reported to have sold the cheeses, though they have yet to issue formal statements. H-E-B's website now lists RAW FARM raw cheddar as no longer available in its stores. The FDA and CDC first raised alarms in mid-March, linking E. coli infections to the products and urging the company to recall them. However, RAW FARM initially resisted, stating in a public statement that it "100 percent disagreed" with health officials. The company claimed all current tests on its products were negative for E. coli, despite the growing number of illnesses.

The recall now includes specific RAW FARM products sold at Sprouts: 16oz and 8oz raw cheddar cheese, as well as 8oz shredded raw cheddar cheese with jalapeno. Customers who purchased these items are being offered full refunds. The CDC confirmed two new infections last week, raising the total to nine cases linked to the outbreak. One patient has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure. Of the seven patients interviewed, all reported consuming RAW FARM products—five ate raw cheddar cheese (either in block or shredded form), and two consumed raw milk. The E. coli strain identified, O157:H7, is particularly dangerous, having also caused a major McDonald's recall in 2024 that resulted in one death and 34 hospitalizations.

RAW FARM, which markets itself as the nation's largest producer of raw milk, is owned by Mark McAfee, an advisor to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. Health officials are now urging anyone who recently consumed the recalled cheeses to monitor for symptoms such as a fever exceeding 102°F (39°C), diarrhea lasting more than three days, or vomiting. While no deaths have been reported yet, public health agencies are actively seeking additional information from those who may have fallen ill.

The outbreak has highlighted the risks associated with raw milk products, which are not pasteurized—a process that heats food to 161°F (71.5°C) for seconds to eliminate harmful pathogens. The FDA has launched an onsite inspection of RAW FARM's California facility and is collaborating with state agencies to test its cheese for E. coli contamination. As the investigation continues, health experts warn that raw milk products remain a persistent public health risk, despite their popularity among certain consumer groups.

The demographics of the affected individuals reveal troubling patterns: 67% are male, 83% are white, and over half are children under five years old. Patients range in age from one to 28, with an average age of just two years. Officials have emphasized that vulnerable populations, particularly young children, face the highest risk of severe complications from E. coli infections. With the FDA's inspection underway and the recall expanding, the situation remains a stark reminder of the delicate balance between consumer choice and public safety in food regulation.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a public health warning emphasizing the heightened risk of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of raw milk and raw milk-derived products. These products, which are not pasteurized, can harbor dangerous pathogens such as *E. coli*, *Listeria monocytogenes*, and *Salmonella*. The CDC specifically highlights that vulnerable populations—including children under five years old, individuals aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems—are at the greatest risk of severe illness or death from exposure to these germs. The agency's advisory underscores the potential for raw milk to serve as a vehicle for outbreaks, even as it remains a popular choice among consumers who believe in its nutritional benefits or prefer its unprocessed nature.

Contamination of raw milk products is often traced to environmental factors during the production process. According to current investigations, the most plausible pathway involves the accidental introduction of fecal matter from cows into milk during milking or storage. This contamination can occur due to poor hygiene practices, inadequate sanitation of milking equipment, or exposure to contaminated surfaces. While the exact source of contamination in the recent case involving RAW FARM products remains unclear, the CDC's warning serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with raw milk consumption.

In a statement released on Thursday, a representative for RAW FARM, a company known for its raw milk and cheese products, declared that 100% of the test results obtained from both internal and government-led sampling efforts were negative for pathogens. The spokesperson expressed gratitude toward the company's food safety team, stating that all retail samples and government tests had yielded no positive findings. "Stay tuned," the statement read. "I'm very thankful for our hardworking food safety team that's been making sure that everything's going great. Great update, great week—100 percent all negative." This assertion aims to reassure consumers and stakeholders that the company's products are currently safe for consumption.

Despite RAW FARM's claims, public health officials have emphasized that a 100% negative test result does not definitively rule out the product as a potential source of an outbreak. Testing protocols may fail to identify contaminated batches if the specific sample tested does not include the affected batch. This limitation highlights the challenges faced by regulatory agencies in tracing outbreaks linked to raw milk products, which often involve complex supply chains and limited testing capacity. The possibility of false negatives—where contamination exists but is not detected—remains a critical concern for both industry and public health experts.

RAW FARM's spokeswoman reiterated the company's position in a prior statement to *Daily Mail*, asserting that no recalled products with "bad" expiration dates were linked to the outbreak. She noted that the FDA had not provided "actual product evidence" or "proof" connecting ill individuals to the company's products. The statement emphasized that while a small group of people across the country had reported consuming the same product, the brand was not definitively linked to the outbreak. "There is NO ACTUAL LINK to our brand or products to associate our products to any outbreak," the spokeswoman said. She further stated that all tests conducted by RAW FARM and government agencies had been negative for *E. coli* and other harmful bacteria.

The company's assurances have sparked debate among regulators, consumer advocates, and the public. While RAW FARM maintains that its rigorous testing and adherence to food safety standards have ensured product safety, critics argue that the lack of direct evidence does not preclude the possibility of contamination. The FDA's inability to establish a direct link between the company's products and ill individuals has led to calls for more comprehensive testing and transparency in the raw milk industry. As the situation unfolds, the interplay between corporate claims, regulatory oversight, and public health concerns continues to shape the narrative around raw milk safety.