CDC Closes Raw-Dairy E. coli Investigation, but Recalled Cheese May Still Be in Freezers

The CDC has closed its investigation into a multistate Escherichia coli outbreak linked to Raw Farm raw milk and raw cheddar cheese. The investigation is over, but the consumer action is not: several recalled cheese products carry expiration dates that extend into late summer, so households should check refrigerators and freezers before serving them.

According to the CDC’s final outbreak update, nine people in three states were infected with the outbreak strain. Three people were hospitalized, one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths were reported. More than half of the illnesses occurred in children under five.

Why the investigation pointed to raw dairy

Public health officials interviewed eight people who became ill. All eight reported consuming or being served unpasteurized milk or cheese. Seven people could identify a brand, and all seven reported Raw Farm products. That pattern was significantly higher than the background level of raw-milk or raw-cheese consumption in the FoodNet population survey.

The evidence still needs to be read precisely. The FDA’s investigation found E. coli O157:H7 in one Raw Farm cheddar sample, but whole-genome sequencing showed that the strain in the sample was different from the outbreak strain found in patients. The sample was not distributed to consumers. In other words, the investigation identified a strong epidemiological link to raw dairy, while the laboratory findings did not establish that particular cheese sample as the direct source of the illnesses.

Which products should be checked?

The CDC lists Raw Farm raw cheddar products included in the recall. The affected products include original-flavor cheddar blocks in 8-ounce and 16-ounce sizes with expiration dates on or before August 23, 2026; jalapeño cheddar blocks in the same sizes with expiration dates on or before September 24, 2026; an 8-ounce bag of shredded original cheddar with an expiration date on or before May 13, 2026; 80-ounce original cheddar blocks with expiration dates on or before August 11, 2026; and 80-ounce bags of shredded original cheddar with expiration dates on or before May 6, 2026.

Do not rely on appearance, smell or the way the cheese was used in a recipe. Compare the brand, product type and date with the recall information. If the details match, do not eat, serve or sell the cheese. Follow the recall notice for return or disposal instructions rather than trying to rescue the product by melting, baking or cooking it.

A practical refrigerator and freezer check

Search every storage area. Check the refrigerator, freezer, lunch bags and any cheese drawer. Raw cheddar may have been bought for sandwiches, snacks, grated toppings or cooked dishes.
Read the package carefully. Confirm that the label says Raw Farm and compare the cheese style, package size and expiration date with the CDC notice. A product is covered when the identifying details match the recall information.
Separate anything questionable. Keep a matching package away from other food while you decide what to do. Do not open it for a taste test, and do not give it to another person or a pet.
Clean contact surfaces. If the cheese was opened or served, wash hands, utensils, cutting boards, plates and counters that touched it. Use hot, soapy water and keep ready-to-eat food away from any surface that has not been cleaned.
Record what happened. If someone ate the product, keep the package or a clear photograph of its label if it is safe to do so. That information can help a healthcare professional or local health department assess a possible foodborne illness report.

Why pasteurization remains the practical choice

Raw milk has not been heated through pasteurization, a process that kills disease-causing germs. The CDC explains in its raw-milk guidance that good farm practices can reduce contamination but cannot guarantee that raw milk or products made from it are free of harmful bacteria. Pasteurized milk and dairy products provide a safer way to enjoy the nutritional benefits of dairy.

This distinction matters in the kitchen because a cheese can be used in a familiar recipe without the recipe being a validated safety control for a recalled product. Cooking temperatures, recipe timing and uneven heating vary from dish to dish. A recall is a product-specific safety instruction, not a cooking suggestion.

For families preparing food for young children, the distinction is especially important. The CDC identifies children under five as more likely to experience severe illness from foodborne germs. Choosing pasteurized milk and dairy products is therefore a straightforward risk-reduction step when shopping for cheese, milk, yogurt or ingredients made from dairy.

The useful takeaway

The outbreak notice is a reminder to treat food-safety updates as practical household information. A product can remain in a freezer long after a recall is announced, especially when it has a long expiration window. Check the label before using raw dairy, follow the official recall instructions exactly, and do not assume that cooking will make a recalled product acceptable.

For everyday shopping, the simplest rule is also the most reliable: choose pasteurized dairy, keep perishable foods cold, and check official CDC or FDA notices whenever a product in your kitchen matches a reported outbreak or recall.