Federal regulators announced Sunday that an outbreak of E. coli that infected at least seven people in three states had been traced to a raw cheddar cheese product.
Most of those affected are children aged 3 or younger living in California, Texas and Florida, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Of the seven cases reported, five were in Californiaone in Florida and another in Texas.
“The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of the virus. E.coli “O157:H7 infections,” the FDA said. “As of March 14, 2026, a total of 7 confirmed infections have been reported in three states.”
Authorities said investigators traced the outbreak to California producer RAW FARM, a family-owned business recognized as the nation’s largest producer of raw dairy products.
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The FDA has issued a warning urging consumers to purchase a raw cheddar cheese product from RAW FARM linked to E. coli. (FDA/Fox News)
The FDA noted that RAW FARM refused to issue a voluntary recall of its shredded raw cheddar cheese product despite the agency’s recommendation.
In response, the dairy farm denied the allegations Monday on its social media page, saying the health agency had made “false claims” against the brand and that no tests had confirmed a positive match for the E. coli strain.
“We disagree 100% with the FDA and CDC’s claims,” the company said. “All of our products have been CONFIRMED to be negative for all harmful bacteria, including Ecoli 0157-H7. The FDA has not found ANY Raw Farm products testing positive for Ecoli on the market.”
“Inaccurate statements made by the FDA and CDC linking our brand to an epidemic is blatant and extreme harassment of our brand,” he added.
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A package of raw cheddar cheese made from grass-grazed cows is shown in this undated photo. (FDA/Fox News)
The FDA confirmed that no RAW FARM brand cheddar cheese products have yet tested positive for E. coli, but said partner states have begun collecting product samples.
They added that investigators were able to track infections using epidemiological data, a scientific method that analyzes the distribution, patterns and causes of health-related events.
“Epidemiologic evidence indicates that RAW FARM brand raw cheddar cheese products manufactured by RAW FARM, LLC are the likely source of this outbreak,” the agency said.
Of the three people interviewed, all reported eating RAW FARM brand cheese, federal regulators said, adding that local authorities are working to gather additional information on the other four cases.
Grated cheese is shown in a white bowl in an undated photo. (iStock/iStock)
At least two patients were hospitalized, but no deaths were reported during the outbreak, health officials added.
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Despite the company’s denials, the FDA issued an advisory urging consumers and retailers to use caution with cheese and disinfect all surfaces to avoid cross-contamination.
The E. coli strain involved can cause serious, life-threatening conditions, including severe kidney failure, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting and bloody diarrhea, the FDA said. Illness usually begins between a few days and nine days after consuming contaminated food.
FOX Business has contacted RAW FARM for additional comment.
