28 replies to this topic

[TimG]

This is what caught my eye, I don't think I've seen a company decline a request to pull product.

"FDA has recommended that RAW FARM, LLC voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market, and the firm has declined." 

 

So, what happens next? FDA confirms and forces them to recall. Or doesn't confirm and it just..stays out there I guess.

 

 

 

Outbreak Investigations & Safety Advisories FDA Human Foods Program

The following is an update from FDA of concern to our subscribers.

 

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Raw Cheddar Cheese (March 2026)

March 15, 2026

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.

As of March 14, 2026, a total of 7 confirmed infections have been reported from three states, including CA (5), FL (1), and TX (1). Known illness onset dates range from September 1, 2025 to February 13, 2026. Whole genome sequencing analysis of E. coli isolates from ill people shows that they are all closely related genetically to each other. This means that people in this outbreak are likely to share a common source of infection. Additionally, 4 of 7 cases are 3 years old or younger. Two patients have been hospitalized. No deaths or HUS cases have been reported.

State and local public health officials have interviewed 3 ill people about food exposures of interest in this outbreak. All 3 people (100%) reported eating RAW FARM- brand raw cheddar cheese. State and local officials are working to gather additional data for the 4 other illnesses, including 2 illnesses that occurred in 2025. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that RAW FARM-brand raw cheddar cheese products made by RAW FARM, LLC are the likely source of this outbreak. 

FDA has recommended that RAW FARM, LLC voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market, and the firm has declined. 

The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. To date, to FDA’s awareness, no RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheese products from this time period have tested positive for E. coli. As part of this investigation, state partners initiated collection of product samples for testing and analysis, but results are not yet available. FDA will update this advisory should additional information become available. 

Read the full update

 

 

[MDaleDDF]

Quick google of them and a wikipedia page pops up!   Cool! 

 

Second paragraph of their wikipedia page:   "The company has made controversy over their products sometimes being contaminated with Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, or bird flu, resulting from the lack of pasteurization.^[2][3][4] They have also faced legal troubles for violating federal law regarding the distribution and marketing of raw milk."

 

I think I'm all set, lol.

[GMO]

Still it's unusual for raw cheddar to have surviving e-coli. (Let alone the other infectious agents in the previous post). Hard cheese isn't as safe as pasteurised hard cheese obviously but it's not bad, long maturing time and starter cultures tend to result in most pathogens dying off. Probably not to be relied on but it's an unusual one. I'm kind of surprised. Especially considering the age groups impacted. Are we sure they're not also selling raw milk?

[MDaleDDF]

They're selling raw everything...

 

https://rawfarmusa.com/

[Scampi]

read this

 

https://rawfarmusa.c...d-is-now-lifted

 

So given how they perceive the FDA handled things the first time, not likely to withdrawl and they will believe they are in the free n clear

Edited by Scampi, 16 March 2026 - 05:41 PM.

[TimG]

read this

 

https://rawfarmusa.c...d-is-now-lifted

 

So given how they perceive the FDA handled things the first time, not likely to withdrawl and they will believe they are in the free n clear

 

Wow! It sounds like they got some history with the FDA eh? I am all for the little guy standing up to big Govm'nt, but then there's science...

But I guess I'm also kind of torn on that, because if you eat/drink raw dairy you have to know the risks, so it should be up to the individual to take and live with those risks (imo).

I'm really interested to see if FDA can pin this outbreak on their product and what happens next.

[MDaleDDF]

They take an interesting position on that recall since it says the FDA indeed found bird flu in retail samples:

 

Nov-Dec 2024 (Bird Flu): Multiple recalls due to detection of Influenza A (H5N1) in retail samples, leading to a broad voluntary recall of products (milk, cream, kefir, pet food) and quarantine.

 

And after that, they're not denying these:

• August 2023 (Salmonella): Statewide recall of raw cheddar cheese due to Salmonella contamination.
• May 2023 (Campylobacter): Recall of raw milk after routine sampling detected Campylobacter jejuni.
• 2006–2016 (Multiple Pathogens): Eight separate outbreaks involving E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter associated with products under its previous name, Organic Pastures.

[SQFconsultant]

We've consumed items from the company and i agree that the FDA has a severe bias against raw milk in general.

 

By the way did you know that Bird Flu such as H5NI carries a U.S. Patent.

Edited by SQFconsultant, 16 March 2026 - 06:37 PM.

[SQFconsultant]

Smells like another attempted hit job by the FDA - an actual lawful agency under the US Corporation - but not the coming restored Republic.

 

I look forward to useless agencies going bye bye or being substantially re-engineered to not have bias against raw producers.

[Scampi]

• Government-Owned Patents: US government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have filed for patents on H5N1-related technology, including vaccine candidates using modified Indonesian influenza genes.
• Patent Applications: Research has identified hundreds of patent applications covering H5N1 vaccines, diagnostics, and sequences, with a significant percentage filed by U.S. entities.

[G M]

This is what caught my eye, I don't think I've seen a company decline a request to pull product.

"FDA has recommended that ... voluntarily remove their ... products from the market, and the firm has declined." 

 

...

 

 

I've seen it several times.  I'm honestly surprised anyone complies with FDA requests.  They rarely do anything other than send you another letter telling you how naughty they think you are when you refuse.

 

Technically the USDA largely depends on "voluntary" recalls too, but if you don't volunteer they just withdraw your inspection service and you can't sell anything.  Since the FDA doesn't 'grant inspection' like that, they have nothing to withdraw or use as leverage.

Edited by G M, 16 March 2026 - 07:52 PM.

[qa_maddy]

This is what caught my eye, I don't think I've seen a company decline a request to pull product.

"FDA has recommended that RAW FARM, LLC voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market, and the firm has declined." 

 

 

I think I've only see this with pet food. Can't say I'm surprised at seeing a firm specializing in unpasteurized product pushing back on the FDA tho. 

[GMO]

I'm not a purist on not eating raw stuff. I make my own ferments at home like sauerkraut and kimchi and am getting into more grey area on all of this in my old age possibly ironically considering the risk increases. But to be honest, most hard cheeses, raw milk doesn't scare me in the slightest. Blue and mould ripened and raw milk you pretty much have to be mad (IMO) to eat or drink those and there are far to many outbreaks to ignore.

 

If it is found in the cheese I do have some strong suspicions on post process contamination. I just feels "off" IME of what tends to happen with cheese micro over time in hard cheeses and cheddar is normally matured for a looooooong time. Anything from 3 months for mild to 2 years plus for the good stuff.

 

Feels odd. Really does. It will be interesting if we ever get to see the detail on this one.

[GMO]

I've seen it several times.  I'm honestly surprised anyone complies with FDA requests.  They rarely do anything other than send you another letter telling you how naughty they think you are when you refuse.

 

Technically the USDA largely depends on "voluntary" recalls too, but if you don't volunteer they just withdraw your inspection service and you can't sell anything.  Since the FDA doesn't 'grant inspection' like that, they have nothing to withdraw or use as leverage.

 

So weird that US law is like that. You're recalling it in the UK if you're told to. But because most companies know that's the end point, they're not stupid enough to wait to be told.

[MDaleDDF]

It says on their site they have a positive release path program....

[Jimimacintire]

Wow! It sounds like they got some history with the FDA eh? I am all for the little guy standing up to big Govm'nt, but then there's science...

But I guess I'm also kind of torn on that, because if you eat/drink raw dairy you have to know the risks, so it should be up to the individual to take and live with those risks (imo).

I'm really interested to see if FDA can pin this outbreak on their product and what happens next.

 

"so it should be up to the individual to take and live with those risks (imo)."

 

With America having some of the dumbest people on the planet are those individuals qualified to make those decisions?

[jfrey123]

It says on their site they have a positive release path program....

 

Further reinforcing the old adage that "You can't test your way into food safety."  Our processes themselves must be robust enough to mitigate the hazards instead of relying on random batch testing that cannot effectively check a batch of produced food.

 

I don't share this perceived bias against so called "raw" producers, but it's clear this operation is failing to create and maintain a process that can bring a product to market safely.

[GMO]

Further reinforcing the old adage that "You can't test your way into food safety."  Our processes themselves must be robust enough to mitigate the hazards instead of relying on random batch testing that cannot effectively check a batch of produced food.

 

I don't share this perceived bias against so called "raw" producers, but it's clear this operation is failing to create and maintain a process that can bring a product to market safely.

 

It does make me wonder why though. 

Can anyone else remember such a bad food safety record on raw hard cheeses? For example Parmesan, Gruyere, or UK cheddars like Keens, Montgomery's or a similar style of cheese, Sparkenhoe Red Leicester. I don't remember any of them having such a bad record as this.

[G M]

It does make me wonder why though. 

Can anyone else remember such a bad food safety record on raw hard cheeses? For example Parmesan, Gruyere, or UK cheddars like Keens, Montgomery's or a similar style of cheese, Sparkenhoe Red Leicester. I don't remember any of them having such a bad record as this.

 

 

It makes technique a lot more probable as a root cause, as well as the food safety culture and understanding the difference between clean and sanitary.

 

If you're going to forgo a proven process like pasteurization as a control, you need to understand what it takes to replace it to reach the same end result.  With a track record like that, these people don't seem to.

[GMO]

It makes technique a lot more probable as a root cause, as well as the food safety culture and understanding the difference between clean and sanitary.

 

If you're going to forgo a proven process like pasteurization as a control, you need to understand what it takes to replace it to reach the same end result.  With a track record like that, these people don't seem to.

 

Fair point. Reminds me of a Simpsons episode where Homer is drinking a craft beer and it cuts to the factory where someone tasting the brew says "needs more dog" and a dog is chucked in to swim around.

 

It somewhat boggles the mind. I am possibly surprised but also not. From looking at the notices online, the packaging is incredibly industrial looking for an artisanal cheese. All vac packed for the blocks and gas flushed for the grated. It doesn't look like it's naturally ripened in cloth either. Which really limits the opportunity for post manufacture contamination unless it's right at the point of packing. Which would suggest they have no idea what they're doing.

 

 

I know it's partly the packaging but for something that is trading on the natural nature of the product it looks pretty plastic. Really surprised they're going down the "unpasteurised is healthy" route and then wrapping it in plastic throughout maturation and sale. 

Anyway. Guess they're having a bad enough week without my dissing their product appearance.

[MDaleDDF]

Fair point. Reminds me of a Simpsons episode where Homer is drinking a craft beer and it cuts to the factory where someone tasting the brew says "needs more dog" and a dog is chucked in to swim around.

 

 

[GMO]

https://www.youtube....h?v=mtqbk9pgPXw

 

It's a good one.

I just went onto Raw Farms google reviews too. A lot of raw milk which seems to be a big seller. As they're going for the "I politically want raw" market (it seems to me) I suspect the consumers are not going to be considering raw milk and raw milk hard cheese may have different risks.

My money is still on the milk.

Or the dogs in the vats. 

Edited by GMO, 18 March 2026 - 11:39 AM.

[Scampi]

and then there's this

 

"RAW FARM will not offer for introduction, introduce, or cause to be introduced into interstate commerce, or deliver or cause to be delivered for introduction into interstate commerce, any unpasteurized raw milk or raw milk products. "

 

But also

*Available nationwide at retail locations. Prices may vary.

 

 

So which one is it????????

[qa_maddy]

and then there's this

 

"RAW FARM will not offer for introduction, introduce, or cause to be introduced into interstate commerce, or deliver or cause to be delivered for introduction into interstate commerce, any unpasteurized raw milk or raw milk products. "

 

But also

*Available nationwide at retail locations. Prices may vary.

 

 

So which one is it????????

They're allowed to sell  raw milk retail in California, but not anywhere else. 

They sell ground beef, cold press juice, and apparently the raw cheddar cheese can get sold intrastate. 

Gotta love state specific food laws. 

Edited by qa_maddy, 18 March 2026 - 02:45 PM.

[ok_crispy.]

For anyone else following this in the news - Update: Raw Farms has issued a voluntary recall