Cheese from largest US raw milk distributor linked to E coli outbreak | US news
Cheese from the nation’s largest raw milk distributor has been linked to a multi-state E coli outbreak.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), raw cheddar cheese from California-based company Raw Farm has been identified as the “possible source” of many E coli O157:H7 infections in California, Florida and Texas. PBS News reportedhowever, no Raw Farm products tested positive for E coli.
The bacterial strain can, in rare cases, cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and acute kidney failure, resulting in hospitalization and possibly death.
So far, seven people have fallen ill between September 2025 and February. The majority of diseases were seen in children aged three and under.
Raw Farm has refused to voluntarily recall its products despite such recommendations from the FDA.
In an email to the Guardian, Raw Farm spokesperson Kaleigh Stanziani said the company “100% DISAGREES WITH THE FALSE “POSIBLE CONNECTION” AND EXCESSIVE CLAIMS FROM THE FDA.”
Despite reports from various sources, Stanziani said all Raw Farm products were “CONFIRMED negative for all harmful bacteria, including E. coli O157-H7” and denied that California had taken any action.
The latest update comes after the state of California recalled several raw milk products from Raw Farms after at least two retail samples tested positive for bird flu in December 2024. Reuters reported. Retail testing conducted by Santa Clara County officials detected infected samples.
Bird flu has been rising steadily since 2022, particularly affecting poultry and dairy cows. California first detected bird flu in dairy cows, and infections have been reported in 16 states.
The Centers for Disease Control has long warned customers to avoid raw dairy products, which are more likely to contain dangerous bacteria.
However, health experts state that raw milk consumption has increased in recent years. Surgeon General Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an advocate of raw milk, has pledged to support farmers who sell it.
In fact, Raw Farm CEO Mark McAfee revealed that Kennedy Jr. is a long-time customer of Mother Jones. reported.
