Overview
- Raw Farm said it is voluntarily recalling more than six varieties of its raw‑milk cheddar, limited to cheese with expiration dates from May through September 2026, and called the step an under‑protest move after earlier refusal.
- Federal officials report nine E. coli illnesses in California, Florida and Texas with three hospitalizations, and more than half of the cases are young children including one patient treated for hemolytic uremic syndrome.
- Investigators say whole‑genome sequencing found the patients’ E. coli strains are closely related, indicating a single source tied to Raw Farm’s raw cheddar.
- Despite negative tests so far on retail samples, the CDC urges people not to buy, sell or serve Raw Farm raw cheddar while the investigation continues.
- The FDA can order a recall when a food poses a serious risk but usually seeks voluntary action first, and Raw Farm’s prior link to a large 2024 salmonella outbreak has sharpened concern over its raw dairy products.