The Food and Drug Administration has connected cheddar produced from raw (unpasteurized) milk to a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. However, the cheese’s producer, Raw Farm, disputes the agency’s conclusions and is declining to issue a voluntary recall.
In its outbreak investigation notice, the FDA reported seven confirmed cases across three states: California (five), Florida (one), and Texas (one). Two of those seven people were hospitalized. Four cases involved children aged 3 or younger, a group more vulnerable to serious illness. No fatalities have been reported.
The illnesses began as early as last September and continued through February 13. Genetic analyses of the E. coli isolates showed they were closely related, indicating a likely single source. Among the three patients who were fully interviewed about exposures, all reported consuming Raw Farm–branded raw cheddar.
Because the evidence points to Raw Farm’s cheese as the probable source, state authorities are collecting cheese samples for laboratory testing; results are pending. Meanwhile, the FDA said it recommended that Raw Farm voluntarily pull its raw cheese products from store shelves, but that the company “has declined.”
In defiant posts on social media, company representatives have forcefully rejected the FDA’s conclusions and insist they will not recall the cheese. “We 100% disagree with the FDA’s false ‘possible link,’ and extreme allegations,” Raw Farm wrote in one post.
