RAW FARM Cheese Recall After E. Coli Outbreak Raises Health Concerns - Intermediate - EN

Read in: Difficulty

Federal health officials say people should not eat recalled RAW FARM raw cheddar cheese because it may be linked to a multistate E. coli outbreak. The FDA and CDC reported on April 3, 2026, that nine people in California, Florida, and Texas were infected with the outbreak strain. Three people were hospitalized, one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths were reported. More than half of the illnesses were in children younger than five.

The recall covers original and jalapeno raw cheddar cheese sold in 8-ounce and 16-ounce blocks, shredded 8-ounce bags, and some 80-ounce bulk products. Original blocks with expiration dates on or before August 23, 2026, and jalapeno blocks on or before September 24, 2026, are included. Shredded original cheese with expiration dates on or before May 13, 2026, is also part of the recall.

Investigators say sick people reported buying RAW FARM products at Sprouts Farmers Market and H-E-B, although the cheese may have been sold at other retailers nationwide. The FDA said RAW FARM began a voluntary recall on April 2, and the agency started an onsite inspection and sample collection. So far, officials have not reported any positive product samples from this inspection period.

E. coli symptoms can begin a few days after eating contaminated food or as long as nine days later. People may have severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Some infections can lead to life-threatening problems, including kidney failure. Health officials told consumers, restaurants, and retailers not to eat, sell, or serve the recalled cheese. They should throw it away, sanitize any surfaces it touched, and contact a health care provider if symptoms appear.

Table of Contents

Vocabulary Words List

Federal health officials — government health leaders
recalled — officially taken back
multistate — covering more than one state
outbreak strain — the germ type causing this outbreak
hospitalized — admitted to a hospital
hemolytic uremic syndrome — a serious illness that can harm the kidneys
original — plain flavor
jalapeno — spicy pepper flavor
8-ounce — weighing eight ounces
16-ounce — weighing sixteen ounces
shredded — cut into thin small pieces
bulk products — large items sold in quantity
expiration dates — dates after which a product should not be used
August 23, 2026 — one listed cutoff date
September 24, 2026 — another listed cutoff date
May 13, 2026 — the cutoff date for one shredded product
Investigators — people who examine what happened
reported buying — said they bought
retailers nationwide — stores across the country
voluntary recall — a company action to remove a product
onsite inspection — a check at the company location
sample collection — gathering items for testing
positive product samples — tested products that show the germ
inspection period — the time of the official check
contaminated food — food made unsafe by germs
severe stomach cramps — strong stomach pain
life-threatening problems — very dangerous health issues
kidney failure — when the kidneys stop working well
sanitize — clean to remove germs
health care provider — doctor or other medical expert

Fill In The Blanks Listening Practice

say people should not eat recalled RAW FARM raw cheddar cheese because it may be linked to a multistate E. coli outbreak. The FDA and CDC reported on April 3, 2026, that nine people in California, Florida, and Texas were infected with the outbreak strain. Three people were , one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths were reported. More than half of the illnesses were in children younger than five.

The recall covers original and jalapeno raw cheddar cheese sold in 8-ounce and blocks, shredded 8-ounce bags, and some 80-ounce bulk products. Original blocks with expiration dates on or before , and jalapeno blocks on or before September 24, 2026, are included. Shredded original cheese with expiration dates on or before May 13, 2026, is also part of the recall.

Investigators say sick people reported buying RAW FARM products at Sprouts Farmers Market and H-E-B, although the cheese may have been sold at other . The FDA said RAW FARM began a voluntary recall on April 2, and the agency started an onsite inspection and sample collection. So far, officials have not reported any from this inspection period.

E. coli symptoms can begin a few days after eating contaminated food or as long as nine days later. People may have severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Some infections can lead to life-threatening problems, including . Health officials told consumers, restaurants, and retailers not to eat, sell, or serve the recalled cheese. They should throw it away, sanitize any surfaces it touched, and contact a health care provider if symptoms appear.