The Los Angeles Department of Public Health Tuesday warned residents of an ongoing outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli linked to Raw Farm-brand cheddar cheese.
As of Saturday, the DPH said there have been seven confirmed infections across three states, including five in California with two cases in L.A. County. Two patients have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.
This type of bacteria can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever and might lead to severe disease including kidney problems, which may require hospitalization and can be life-threatening, according to county officials.
Raw milk cheese is made from dairy that has not been processed or pasteurized, a process that heats the product and destroys bacteria.
Local and state public health officials interviewed affected individuals, all of whom reported consuming Raw Farm-brand cheddar cheese productions.
Epidemiologic and laboratory investigation indicates a strong link between the illnesses and these products, officials said. Whole genome sequencing of samples from cases confirm that the E. coli strains are closely related, supporting a common source of infection.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued guidance to consumers, retailers and food service providers regarding the outbreak. The FDA recommended that Raw Farm LLC voluntarily remove its raw cheese products from the market, but the company has declined.
In a video posted on social media, a spokesman for Raw Farm said “Absolutely no, we disagree based on the evidence, and based on the facts that we’ve reviewed since Friday when we heard about this.”
“That is why, for the first time in our company history, we declined a voluntary recall,” the spokesman said.
Raw Farm tests “every single batch of cheese,” among other routine tests on their products, according to company officials. Headquartered in Fresno, Raw Farm is owned by Mark McAfee, and is one of the country’s leading raw milk producers. The company’s raw milk was tied to dozens of salmonella cases in 2024.
The county health department is advising residents not to eat or serve Raw Farm-brand cheddar cheese, and to throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
If residents have Raw Farm-brand cheddar cheese, the DPH urged them to carefully clean and sanitize anything touched by the product, following the FDA’s safe handling guidance to prevent cross-contamination such as countertops, utensils, containers or other surfaces.
The DPH advises those who have consumed the product to watch for symptoms such as diarrhea (sometimes bloody), stomach cramps or vomiting.
Officials urged residents to seek medical attention if symptoms develop. Children, older adults, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems are particularly at higher risk of severe illness if infected.