Health officials investigate E. coli outbreak linked to raw cheese sold in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Health officials are investigating an outbreak of E. coli in multiple states, including Florida, that appears to be linked to raw cheese products.

Raw Farm brand cheddar cheese sold nationwide at Sprouts Farmers Market stores has likely sickened seven people in Florida, Texas and California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Over half of the reported cases involve patients 3 years old or younger. Two people have been hospitalized. The known illness onset dates range from Sept. 1, 2025, to Feb. 13, 2026.

The FDA recommended that Raw Farm pull the affected products from the market, but they declined to do so. Health officials are testing samples of the cheese to confirm if E. coli bacteria are present.

No recall has been issued in connection with the outbreak, but health officials urge consumers not to eat the affected cheese while they investigate. They should also consider washing items and surfaces that the cheese may have touched using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Anyone who recently consumed the cheese should seek medical care if they experience the following symptoms:

Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F

Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving

So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down

Signs of dehydration, such as: Not urinating much Dry mouth and throat Feeling dizzy when standing up

Feeling dizzy when standing up

Symptoms usually start three to four days after swallowing the E. coli bacteria. Most patients recover without treatment after five to seven days.

What is raw milk (or cheese), and is it dangerous?

Raw milk is milk from an animal, such as a cow or goat, that has not been pasteurized.

Florida law requires raw milk to be labeled as for animal consumption only, but despite the risk of illness, many claim to drink it for purported health benefits. Raw milk producers are not beholden to the same regulations and sanitation standards as those who produce milk for human consumption, which is required to undergo pasteurization.

Pasteurization is the process of mildly heating milk to kill harmful bacteria. Some raw milk advocates claim it is healthier and safer, but the belief is not supported by science, as pasteurization does not reduce milk’s nutritional value.

In August 2025, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) reported that 21 people were sickened in an E. coli infection outbreak connected to a raw milk producer in New Smyrna Beach. In response, Florida’s agriculture commissioner issued a warning that urged consumers to only drink pasteurized milk.

The FDOH bulletin acknowledged the health risks associated with raw milk, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and immunocompromised people, but stopped short of urging against its consumption.

The agency also listed “reported benefits” of drinking raw milk, “including better taste and protective effects for asthma and allergies.” This directly contradicts the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which in 2024 debunked a study often cited by raw milk drinkers who allege that it cures or treats asthma and allergies.

The FDA report also shoots down claims that raw milk cures lactose intolerance, prevents osteoporosis and contains bacteria that benefit gut health.

Just days after the FDOH bulletin, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo took to social media to voice his support for residents consuming unpasteurized milk “for potential health benefits and protective factors.”

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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