The FDA and CDC — in collaboration with state and local partners — continue to investigate a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to RAW FARM-brand raw dairy products.
As part of this investigation, FDA has completed onsite inspections and sample collections at RAW FARM, LLC retail and processing facilities in coordination with state partners. FDA has collected and analyzed 19 samples of RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese products. One sample of RAW FARM-brand Cheddar Cheese tested positive for E. coli.
FDA conducted further testing and analysis through whole genome sequencing or DNA fingerprinting. This showed that the strain of E. coli found in the cheese is a different strain than the E. coli in the current outbreak. Instead, this strain matches illnesses from a different 2025 outbreak investigated by CDC. The 2025 outbreak is not ongoing, but CDC and states are following up to determine if there is any epidemiologic information from that 2025 outbreak that shows if those sick individuals consumed any RAW FARM-brand products.
The raw cheddar cheese that tested positive for E. coli was not shipped to stores and is not available for sale. Sample testing and analyses by state partners are ongoing. Any additional positive test results will be reported if they become available.
On April 2, 2026, RAW FARM, LLC initiated a recall of certain RAW FARM-brand cheeses. On April 7, 2026, RAW FARM, LLC updated the language and product names on its recall announcement for certain RAW FARM-brand cheeses.
FDA’s investigation is ongoing, and the advisory will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
— Story contributed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
