Raw Dairy Farm Recalls Cheddar Linked to 9 E. Coli Cases

The recall comes after weeks of pushback from the farm, which denies its cheese caused the outbreak.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:23pm

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An extreme close-up, translucent X-ray image revealing the intricate internal structure of a block of Cheddar cheese, conceptually illustrating the unseen microbial risks of consuming unpasteurized dairy products.An X-ray view exposes the hidden bacterial dangers lurking within a seemingly harmless block of raw dairy cheese.Boston Today

A raw dairy farm in California, Raw Farm LLC, has recalled its Cheddar cheese products after the Food and Drug Administration linked them to nine E. coli illnesses across three states. The farm initially resisted the recall, but ultimately issued it 'under protest' on the advice of its lawyers to prevent further damage to the business.

Why it matters

Raw dairy products like unpasteurized milk and cheese carry a higher risk of foodborne illnesses like E. coli, which can cause severe symptoms and even life-threatening complications, especially in vulnerable populations like young children. This case highlights the ongoing tensions between raw dairy producers and public health officials over food safety.

The details

The recalled Cheddar cheese products, including original and jalapeño varieties sold in blocks and shredded, have expiration dates between May and September 2026. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised consumers to check their refrigerators and discard any of the recalled cheeses. The investigation found that nine people in California, Texas, and Florida were infected with the dangerous E. coli O157:H7 strain, with illnesses beginning between September 2025 and February 2026. Three people were hospitalized, and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.

  • The outbreak was first announced by federal health officials on March 15, 2026.
  • The illnesses began between September 1, 2025 and February 20, 2026.

The players

Raw Farm LLC

A raw-dairy farm in California that produces unpasteurized milk, cheese, and other products.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The federal agency that regulates food safety and had been asking Raw Farm to recall its Cheddar cheese linked to the E. coli outbreak.

Aaron McAfee

The president of Raw Farm, who said the company issued the voluntary recall on the advice of its lawyers to prevent further damage to the business.

Darin Detwiler

A professor of food regulatory affairs at Northeastern University who criticized Raw Farm for waiting weeks to issue the recall, saying the company's 'one job' is to prevent illnesses and recall unsafe products immediately.

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What they’re saying

“It was a standoff between us and them.”

— Aaron McAfee, President, Raw Farm LLC

“Your one job is to have prevented this. And when there is evidence that a product is unsafe, your one job is to recall it immediately, to prevent additional illnesses.”

— Darin Detwiler, Professor of Food Regulatory Affairs, Northeastern University

What’s next

The FDA investigation into the E. coli outbreak linked to Raw Farm's Cheddar cheese is ongoing.

The takeaway

This recall highlights the ongoing public health risks of consuming raw dairy products, which can harbor dangerous bacteria like E. coli. It also underscores the tensions between raw dairy producers and regulators over food safety, with some farms resisting recalls even when epidemiological evidence points to their products as the source of an outbreak.