L.A. County health officials are urging consumers not to eat Raw Farm-branded raw cheddar cheese after the product was linked to an ongoing outbreak of Shiga toxin‑producing E. coli.

This type of bacteria can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and may lead to severe disease, including kidney problems, which may require hospitalization and can be life-threatening, officials said.

Seven infections have been reported across three states as of March 14, including five in California, with two in Los Angeles County.
 
Four of the seven patients are 3 years old or younger. Two people have been hospitalized, and no deaths or cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome have been reported. Illness onset dates range from Sept. 1, 2025, to Feb. 13, 2026, officials said.

Interviews with three patients found that all had consumed Raw Farm‑brand raw cheddar cheese before becoming sick.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised consumers, retailers and food service operators not to eat or serve the cheese. The agency recommended that Raw Farm, LLC voluntarily remove the product from the market, but the company declined.

L.A. County health officials are urging consumers not to eat RAW FARM‑brand raw cheddar cheese after the product was linked to an ongoing outbreak of Shiga toxin‑producing E. coli. (FDA)

L.A. County health officials are urging consumers not to eat RAW FARM‑brand raw cheddar cheese after the product was linked to an ongoing outbreak of Shiga toxin‑producing E. coli. (FDA)

FDA officials say no Raw Farm cheddar cheese samples from the relevant time period have tested positive for E. coli to date, and additional product testing is underway.

Health officials recommend:

Do not eat or serve Raw Farm‑brand raw cheddar cheese; discard it or return it to the place of purchase.
Clean and sanitize any surfaces, utensils, containers, or equipment that may have touched the cheese to prevent cross‑contamination.
Watch for symptoms of E. coli infection — including diarrhea (sometimes bloody), stomach cramps, vomiting, or fever — if you or someone in your household consumed the product. Seek medical care if symptoms develop.
Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness.

Local, state and federal agencies continue to investigate the outbreak and are working to determine whether additional products may be linked to illnesses.

Escherichia coli are bacteria commonly found in the environment, food and the intestines of people and animals. Shiga toxin‑producing strains can cause severe disease, according to Public Health.

Symptoms typically begin three to four days after exposure but can appear up to nine days later. Most people recover within a week, but STEC infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, or neurologic complications.