RAW FARM® Raw Cheddar Cheese has been linked to another outbreak of E. coli O157:H7, with at least 7 people sickened in California, Florida, and Texas. Four victims are children under 3.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting E. coli food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you got sick after eating RAW FARM Raw Cheddar Cheese linked to the March 2026 E. coli outbreak, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
2026: RAW FARM Cheese Linked to Another E. Coli Outbreak
In March 2026, the FDA and CDC announced they are investigating a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese.
How Many People Got Sick?
As of March 14, 2026, seven confirmed infections were reported in California (5), Florida (1), and Texas (1).
Alarmingly, 4 of the 7 confirmed patients were children aged 3 years old or younger. The illnesses began from September 1, 2025 through February 13, 2026. Two people were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Is There A Recall?
No. The FDA recommended that RAW FARM, LLC voluntarily remove the cheese products from the market. The company declined because no finished products tested positive for the strain of E. coli in the outbreak.
What Products Are Involved?
The following RAW FARM-brand products are linked to the outbreak:
- RAW FARM Raw Cheddar Cheese — all sizes, block format
- RAW FARM Raw Cheddar Cheese — all sizes, shredded format
Both products are sold nationwide at Sprouts Farmers Market locations and natural food retailers. The cheese is distributed across all 50 states.
What Is the Risk?
E. coli O157:H7 is a Shiga toxin-producing strain (STEC) that can cause serious, potentially life-threatening illness. This strain is particularly dangerous for young children, which is concerning because 4 of the 7 confirmed patients are 3 years old or younger.
The symptoms of an infection typically appear 3 to 9 days after consuming contaminated food and include:
- Severe stomach cramps
- Diarrhea, often bloody
- Vomiting
- Fever
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
In serious cases, E. coli O157:H7 can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure that can be fatal. Children under five, adults over 65, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals face the highest risk.
Other Outbreaks of E. coli Linked to RAW Farm Cheese
This is not the first time RAW Farm® raw cheddar cheese has been linked to an outbreak of illnesses.
Another outbreak was reported in March 2024 involving 11 illnesses and 5 hospitalizations across 5 states. RAW Farm initially agreed to issue a recall, but later withdrew the recall after products did not test positive for E. coli.
What Should I Do?
- Do not eat any RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese, in block or shredded form, while the investigation is ongoing
- Discard any RAW FARM raw cheddar cheese currently in your home
- Wash any surfaces, cutting boards, or containers that may have come into contact with the cheese using hot soapy water or a dishwasher
- Seek medical care immediately if you or your child develop bloody diarrhea, fever above 102°F, or signs of dehydration
- Tell your doctor about possible exposure to RAW FARM raw cheddar cheese
- Monitor the FDA outbreak investigation page for updates
Do I Have a RAW FARM Raw Cheddar Cheese Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting E. coli food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you got sick after eating RAW FARM Raw Cheddar Cheese linked to the March 2026 E. coli outbreak, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
