Raw Farm LLC has issued a recall of its Cheddar cheese products linked to nine E. coli illnesses across three states, though the company maintains the outbreak was not caused by its products. The dairy producer, known for its unpasteurized dairy offerings, initially resisted the Food and Drug Administration's request to pull the cheese from shelves, calling the action "under protest."

Federal health officials identified the outbreak strain as E. coli O157:H7, a dangerous bacteria that has hospitalized three people and caused one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that can lead to kidney failure. The affected products include original and jalapeño Cheddar sold in blocks and shredded form, with expiration dates ranging from May through September. The cheese was distributed nationwide at major retailers including Sprouts Farmers Market and H-E-B.

Raw Farm's president, Aaron McAfee, ultimately decided to issue the voluntary recall after weeks of resistance, citing legal advice to prevent further business damage. The recall encompasses approximately 170,000 pounds of cheese valued at $1.5 million. This incident marks the latest in a series of food safety issues involving Raw Farm, which has previously been linked to outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella tied to its unpasteurized dairy products.