The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), together with state and local health officials, are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Shiga toxin–producing E. coli O157:H7 linked to raw cheddar cheese products made by Raw Farm, LLC.
As of March 14, 2026, seven confirmed infections have been reported in three states: California (5), Florida (1), and Texas (1). Illness onset dates range from September 1, 2025, to February 13, 2026. Four of the patients are three years old or younger, and two people have been hospitalized. No deaths or cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) have been reported.
State and local investigators have interviewed
three ill people about food exposures, and all three reported eating Raw Farm–brand raw cheddar cheese before becoming sick. Officials are continuing to
collect information from the remaining four cases, including two illnesses that
occurred in 2025. Based on epidemiologic evidence, Raw Farm brand raw cheddar
cheese produced by Raw Farm, LLC is
considered the likely source of the outbreak.
The FDA has recommended that the company voluntarily remove its raw cheese products from the market, but the firm has declined. Product testing is still underway, and the investigation is ongoing.
Raw Farm products have also been associated with several past outbreaks and recalls involving raw dairy products contaminated with pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria. These include outbreaks linked to raw milk in 2006, 2011, and 2016 involving E. coli O157:H7; multiple Campylobacter incidents; Salmonella illnesses in 2023 and 2024; and an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak tied to unpasteurized cheese in December 2024 that caused 11 illnesses.
Consumers
and food businesses are advised to clean and sanitize surfaces or containers
that may have come into contact with the cheese and to seek medical care if
symptoms of an E. coli infection develop
after consuming Raw Farm-brand cheddar cheese. The investigation is continuing,
and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Prior Outbreaks and/or Recalls
| Date | Product | Contaminant | Recall/Illnesses |
| September 2006 | Raw Milk | E. coli O157:H7 | Six ill, two with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome |
| September 2007 | Raw Cream | Listeria monocytogenes | Recall Issued |
| December 2007 | Raw Milk | Campylobacter | Eight Illnesses |
| September 2008 | Raw Cream | Campylobacter | Recall Issued |
| November 2011 | Raw Milk | E. coli O157:H7 | Five ill, three with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome |
| May 2012 | Raw Milk/Cream | Campylobacter | 10 Illnesses |
| October 2015 | Raw Milk | Campylobacter | Recall Issued |
| January 2016 | Raw Milk | E. coli O157:H7 | Nine ill, two with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome |
| May 2023 | Raw Milk | Campylobacter | Recall Issued |
| August 2023 | Unpasteurized Cheese | Salmonella | Recall Issued |
| December 2023 | Raw Milk | Salmonella | 19 Illnesses |
| October 2024 | Raw Milk | Salmonella | 171 Illnesses |
| December 2024 | Unpasteurized Cheese | E. coli O157:H7 | 11 illnesses |
Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $900 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products. The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s. We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.
If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.