California Dairy Recalls Raw Cheese Products Amid E. coli Outbreak

Raw Farm issues voluntary recall after FDA investigation links illnesses to its products.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray image showing the internal structure of a wedge of raw cheddar cheese, with its glowing lines and shapes against a dark background conceptually representing the hidden dangers of unpasteurized dairy products.An X-ray view of the internal structure of raw cheddar cheese, highlighting the potential risks of unpasteurized dairy products.Fresno Today

A California dairy producer, Raw Farm, is voluntarily recalling several varieties of its raw cheddar cheese products after the FDA linked an ongoing E. coli outbreak to the company's products. The recall comes after the FDA initially requested Raw Farm to issue a recall, which the company had initially refused to do.

Why it matters

The outbreak of E. coli linked to Raw Farm's raw milk products highlights the ongoing debate around the safety and regulation of unpasteurized dairy products. While raw milk has gained popularity in recent years, it carries higher risks of foodborne illnesses that pasteurization helps eliminate.

The details

Raw Farm, based in Fresno, California, is recalling over a half-dozen varieties of its raw cheddar cheese with expiration dates ranging from May 2026 to September 2026. The FDA began investigating cases of E. coli food poisoning linked to the company's products last month and had previously requested a recall, which Raw Farm initially refused. However, Raw Farm is now conducting the recall 'under protest' in order to 'chart a path forward' despite not finding any positive E. coli tests in its products.

  • The FDA began investigating cases of E. coli linked to Raw Farm products last month.
  • Raw Farm is recalling cheese products with expiration dates from May 2026 to September 2026.

The players

Raw Farm

A California dairy producer that is recalling several varieties of its raw cheddar cheese products amid an ongoing E. coli outbreak investigation by the FDA.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The federal agency that began investigating cases of E. coli food poisoning linked to Raw Farm products and initially requested the company to issue a recall, which it initially refused to do.

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What they’re saying

“This voluntary recall is limited to Raw Farm-brand cheddar cheese, and no other products are being voluntarily recalled.”

— Raw Farm

What’s next

The FDA will continue its inspection of Raw Farm's facilities and monitor the ongoing E. coli outbreak investigation. The agency has the authority to order a mandatory recall if it determines there is a reasonable risk of serious injury or death.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around the safety and regulation of raw milk products, which have gained popularity in recent years but also carry higher risks of foodborne illnesses that pasteurization helps eliminate. The E. coli outbreak linked to Raw Farm's products underscores the need for strict safety protocols and oversight in the raw dairy industry.