State health officials warned consumers Friday not to eat certain raw cheddar cheese linked to a multistate E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least seven people, including five in California.
The California Department of Public Health said the outbreak is associated with Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese, and urged consumers and businesses not to eat, sell or serve the product while the investigation continues.
As of March 13, seven people in three states had been infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, according to CDPH. Four of the cases involved children younger than 5.
Two people have been hospitalized, including one in California. No deaths or cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome — a serious complication that can lead to organ failure — have been reported, health officials said.
Interviews with people who became ill indicate that Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese is the likely source of recent infections, according to CDPH.
A statement from Raw Farm CEO Mark McAfee, provided to City News Service Friday, disputed the state’s findings.
“There is `no recall’ and there is no connection between our cheese and illnesses. All tests of our cheese are 100% negative for any pathogens. State tests are all negative,” McAfee said. “We are upset that CDPH strongly recommends only eating pasteurized dairy products. In 2024, Riso pasteurized cheese killed two and sickened many.”
He added that there are no current illnesses and said some of the reported cases did not involve consumption of the company’s cheese. McAfee said only two of the seven people were hospitalized, while the others recovered at home.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended a voluntary recall of the product, but as of Wednesday the company had not removed it from the market, according to CDPH.
Health officials urged consumers to avoid eating Raw Farm brand block or shredded raw cheddar cheese and to sanitize any surfaces or items that may have come into contact with it.
Symptoms of infection can include diarrhea, often bloody, along with vomiting and abdominal cramps, typically beginning three to four days after exposure. While most people recover within a week, young children are at higher risk of severe illness, officials said.
Consumers experiencing symptoms were advised to contact a health care provider.