Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in E. coli,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on April 5, 2026
We finally have a RAW cheddar recall with batch and expiration dates! These products have a connection to an ongoing outbreak with epidemiological links.
So far, at least nine people (most of which are children) have been sickened with the same E. coli bacteria. Aside from genetically similar germs causing their illnesses, another connection is their consumption of RAW Farm raw cheddar cheese.
The cheese maker has been vocal about not issuing a recall due to their own tests finding no E. coli bacteria. However, in a statement from their voluntary recall announcement, the firm has cooperated by issuing a recall for seven batches of different varieties in their RAW cheddar recall “under protest” and “as a path forward.”
Here’s what we know so far about the current E. coli outbreak and RAW cheddar recall!
The investigation into an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least nine people (one in Texas, one in Florida, and seven in California) has been making headlines. As of April 3, 2026, three of those people have been hospitalized and one person developed a type of kidney complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Over half of those sickened with this outbreak E. coli strain were children under the age of five.
People have reported illnesses as early as September 1, 2025. The last reported illness onset began February 20, 2026.
No deaths have been reported.
Despite repeated denial of connection to outbreak patients, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has publicly connected RAW Farm raw cheddar products to this outbreak. Even with the admission that no positive E. coli samples have been discovered.
“FDA is not aware of any positive samples.”
However, “sample analysis is ongoing.”
So why does the FDA continue to point to RAW Farm?
The answer isn’t all that complicated. There is an overwhelming connection between a common food product and patients sick with the same strain of E. coli bacteria.
Of the nine people sick in this outbreak, eight have been available for interview. All eight people reported consuming or being served raw dairy products. Seven of those eight remembered the brand. It was the same brand.
RAW Farm.
It is unlikely that it is coincidental. However, sampling activities and onsite inspections have been initiated and are underway.
These tests take time to perform, and results are expected in the coming weeks.
In cases where an epidemiological link is this strong companies often issue a voluntary recall, cooperate with the investigation, and help reduce the potential number of additional cases by preemptively making the public aware and taking product out of the marketplace.
This finally happened.
As part of the press release for their recall, RAW Farm included a company announcement. A move that admits no guilt, but does provide consumers with information about potentially connected products to a serious E. coli outbreak.
“Company Announcement
Prior to the April 2nd press release, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Advisory that did not include batch numbers or expiration dates.
The Advisory indicated that consumers should “consider not eating raw cheddar cheese produced by Raw Farm, LLC while this investigation is ongoing.”
The firm has now provided seven batches of select variations of cheese in their raw cheddar recall.
No other RAW Farm products are included in this recall.
The symptoms of E. coli infections can vary from mild to severe. Most people begin feeling sick around three to four days after exposure. However, some may begin feeling sick as early as one day or as late as 10 days or more after eating contaminated food.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Normally healthy people generally recover from E. coli infection within five to seven days.
These people are usually not included in outbreak statistics. This is because for some, illness is so mild they never seek medical attention. Therefore they are never tested for E. coli or diagnosed with an E. coli infection. Therefore their illness cannot be genetically linked to other people sick with the same germ, potentially from the same food source.
Some people, on the other hand, may experience other complications. These complications may lead to hospitalization or even death. It is this small percentage of cases that are possibly linked to an outbreak investigation.
The elderly, young children (under five years), and those with a weakened immune system may experience more severe illnesses or develop serious complications. Complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS that has impacted at least one outbreak patient.
This is where infections get especially dangerous!
HUS, is a rare, but serious health condition that can develop after becoming sick with a toxin-producing bacteria like E. coli.
This complication develops when toxins rupture blood cells. These ruptured bloods cells clog the filtering aspects of the kidney. This can result in kidney failure and cause other downstream negative health effects.
People with HUS require hospitalization and monitoring to prevent further damage.
Symptoms to look out for include decreased urination, paleness in cheeks and inside of lower eyelids, and fatigue.
If you have been sick with symptoms consistent with E. coli infection and begin experiencing these HUS symptoms, get medical help right away!
Did you consume RAW Farm cheddar cheese and later fell sick with symptoms consistent with an E. coli infection?
Even if your symptoms are mild, it is still a good idea to report your illness to your local health department. This can help investigators get a better picture of the scope of this E. coli outbreak.
They may ask you questions about your symptoms, what and where you have eaten in the past few weeks, and other supporting information. So have that information handy.
If you have been seriously affected by this outbreak, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced E. coli lawyer.
If you have become seriously ill with an E. coli infection from RAW Farm raw cheddar cheese products included in this RAW cheddar recall, other RAW Farm products, or other raw milk products and wish to make a legal claim for compensation, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has an E. coli lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully won millions of dollars in products liability and food poisoning cases and they can help you too!
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)