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A dose of his own medicine
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According to a March 15th Food and Drug Administration (FDA) release, the Agency in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating an outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 infection. Traceback has implicated RAW FARM brand shredded cheddar cheese.
Based on the determination, FDA recommended a voluntary removal that was rejected by the manufacturer. To date, seven cases among California, Florida and Texas have been documented with two hospitalizations. Onset of illness ranges from September 1st, 2025, to February 13th, 2026. Whole genome sequencing confirmed the genetic relationship among isolates from patients, although no RAW FARM cheddar cheese products have yielded the implicated E. coli, [but additional sampling and assay is in progress.
It is extremely injudicious of any company to reject a suggested FDA recall. In the event of isolation of the implicated pathogen from company product, RAW FARM, LLC, will be vulnerable to product liability claims for which there will be no valid defense. Unfortunately, E. coli 0157:H7, with four children affected in this outbreak, may have severe health consequences. These include hemolytic uremia syndrome requiring prolonged hospitalization and the prospect of future renal dysfunction.
Raw Farm LLC is located in Fresno, CA with production facilities in Kerman, CA. The operation sells raw milk and derived products including cheeses. The CEO (self-styled Chief Excitement {or Excrement} Officer of the fifth-generation enterprise is Mark McAfee who is a leader in promoting non-pasteurized milk.
For the record, products from Raw Farms Inc. have been involved in 13 documented outbreaks of milk-borne infections including salmonellosis and STEC E.coli in recent years. These incidents have involved close to 240 diagnosed cases and numerous hospitalizations with many children affected by hemolytic uremia syndrome.
It is estimated by USDA* that E. coli 0157 STEC infections cost $504 million in 2023 for approximately 176,000 cases with a mean per-case cost of $2,865. With the hemolytic uremia complication, cost per case may rise into six figures.
*Hoffmann, S., et al Economic Burden of Foodborne Illnesses Acquired in the United States Foodborne Pathogens and Disease 22:4-14 (2025)