{"id":242512,"date":"2026-03-29T21:05:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T21:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/242512\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T21:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T21:05:09","slug":"california-raw-milk-farmer-tied-to-e-coli-outbreak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/242512\/","title":{"rendered":"California raw milk farmer tied to E. Coli outbreak"},"content":{"rendered":"

Federal food authorities said they\u2019re investigating<\/a> a growing E. Coli outbreak this month tied to Raw Farm, a dairy farm in Fresno commonly described as the country\u2019s largest raw dairy producer. But the company is fighting the claims, saying officials have provided no proof that their products are to blame. <\/p>\n

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said last week<\/a> the California farm\u2019s raw cheddar cheese has now given the digestive bacteria to nine people across three states \u2014 seven of whom are in California \u2014 from September to February. Over half of the cases involved children under 5, and three were hospitalized.<\/p>\n

One case even developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure, the FDA said.<\/p>\n

\"CowsRaw Farms is considered the nation\u2019s largest raw diary producer. RAW Farm USA<\/p>\n

The authorities asked Raw Farm, which has 1,200 cows across 800 acres, to recall the product. The owners are refusing and dispute the FDA\u2019s \u201cextreme allegations.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cInaccurate statements made by the FDA and CDC linking our brand to an outbreak is egregious and extreme harassment towards our brand,\u201d the company posted on social media<\/a> March 16.<\/p>\n

In a video update last week, the farmer\u2019s president Aaron McAfee claimed that recent testing showed that \u201c100% of the results are negative\u201d from retail, from their own food safety team or from the government\u2019s sampling.<\/p>\n

The farm\u2019s technicians conducted 3,238 tests specifically for E. coli from September to March, he had told the New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The FDA has only said it \u201cinitiated\u201d an on-site inspection last week and will update its advisory once more information is available.<\/p>\n

The farm takes food safety very seriously, McAfee told The Atlantic<\/a>, and he defended its cheese, where one block reportedly costs $16 and is sold at high-end grocery chain Erewhon<\/a>. He noted the farm has voluntarily pulled its products multiple times in the past.<\/p>\n

In this case, however, McAfee said the testing doesn\u2019t bear the government\u2019s claims and there\u2019s only \u201ccircumstantial evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

The FDA has yet to legally force Raw Farms to recall the cheese. The farm has supporters in Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u2019s circles, including his 2024 presidential running mate Nicole Shanahan<\/a>, who visited the farm during the campaign.<\/p>\n

\"ANicole Shanahan visited Raw Farms and its founder Mark McAfee. Instagram\/@theshanawow<\/p>\n

Kennedy is a champion of raw milk as well<\/a> and has railed against the FDA\u2019s \u201caggressive suppression\u201d of the drink, despite doctors\u2019 warnings that it can spur food-borne illnesses.<\/p>\n

Raw Farm is no stranger to criticizing food health regulators. In 2024, the state suspended the farm<\/a> from distributing products after finding bird flu in them. While the farm voluntarily pulled its products, CEO Mark McAfee still alleged it was a political witch hunt, he told the Post then.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the last 40 years the FDA has hated raw milk. There is Bizarre crazy suppression of raw milk anywhere any way they can do it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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