CA Raw Cheese Recalled — But CEO Denies Connection To E. Coli Outbreak

A raw dairy company in Fresno recently recalled a variety of cheddar cheese products in the wake of an E. coli outbreak that sickened nine, including seven in California, but the owner of the business contends his cheese is not to blame.

“We effectively were guilty until proven innocent,” Aaron McAfee, president and owner of Raw Farm, told Patch.

The company waited weeks to initiate the recall following repeated recommendations from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration that it do so. Raw Farm recalled the cheese after nine people were sickened, most of whom were children and consumed the company's products. No pathogens have been confirmed in the cheese, but the recall announcement stated the step was taken "in the interest of public health and safety." McAfee contends the recall is the result of federal authorities targeting raw cheese.

Raw Farm initially issued the recall “under protest” before withdrawing that statement and instead commenting that Raw Farm “reserves its rights and disputes being the cause of this outbreak.”

The recall, which was announced earlier this month and includes Raw Farm’s original and jalapeno cheddar in shredded and block form, recommends consumers return the cheese to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

Those known to be sickened fell ill between Sept. 1, 2025, and Feb. 20, 2026, according to federal authorities, who said three people were hospitalized and one developed a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.

E. coli symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. Infections can be severe and lead to life-threatening or chronic conditions.

The recall notes that no pathogens have been found in Raw Farm cheese.

Raw milk has not been pasteurized, which kills germs like E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter.

Of the nine who fell ill, seven were confirmed to have consumed Raw Farm-brand dairy products, five of whom ate the company’s raw cheddar cheese in 2026 and two of whom drank its raw milk in 2025, according to federal authorities, who noted the affected milk is no longer for sale.

Over half the illnesses were in children under 5 years old, the agency said. Seven of the known cases occurred in California. There was one case each in Florida and Texas.

McAfee contests the agency’s account that five who fell ill ate his company’s cheese because the caretaker of one of the children affected said the cheese was purchased at one of two stores, and the cheese is only sold at one of the stores that the person listed.

“From our lens, some of their decisions have just been completely unfair,” he said, noting that not all nine people were confirmed to have consumed Raw Farm products.

McAfee said he does not believe his company’s cheese has ever gotten anyone sick and theorized that federal authorities are focusing on his cheese because they have more regulatory power over raw cheese than raw milk, which is largely regulated at the state level. He also said he believes authorities are selectively using data to create a narrative that targets his business.

He said he had hoped federal authorities would implement a mandatory recall of the cheese, triggering due process that would have allowed the company to contest the recall. But McAfee added that for Raw Farm to be able to move forward after the outbreak, the product needed to be taken off the shelves.

In response to McAfee’s comments regarding the company’s desire for a mandatory recall and his concerns that Raw Farm was treated unfairly, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided a statement, which said, in part:

“The investigation is ongoing. FDA is working with state partners to collect and analyze samples, collaborating with CDC on reported cases and has issued an outbreak advisory to inform consumers, restaurants, and retailers of the current facts. As new evidence emerges, FDA will continue to update the public and evaluate all potential tools to further protect consumers …”