E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Cheddar Cheese

Key points
Investigation status: Open
Recall issued: No
CDC, FDA, and public health officials in three states are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections linked to raw cheddar cheese sold by Raw Farm, LLC. Over half of the illnesses are in children under the age of 5. While the investigation is ongoing, if you have any of these affected cheeses in your home, consider not eating them.

Fast Facts
Cases: 7
Hospitalizations: 2
Deaths: 0
States: 3
Affected food
Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese

Flavors include original cheddar cheese
All sizes of block and shredded cheese packages
Raw Farm cheddar cheese block
Raw cheddar cheese
cheddar cheese blocks
Raw Farm Shredded Cheese
Raw cheddar cheese
shredded cheese
What you should do
Consider not eating any affected cheese, while this investigation is ongoing.
Consider washing items and surfaces that may have touched the affected cheese using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Seek care for these symptoms
Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 F
Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
Bloody diarrhea
So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
Signs of dehydration, such as:
Not peeing much
Dry mouth and throat
Feeling dizzy when standing up

Symptoms of E. coli
Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.

CDC Mar. 15, 2026