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Links between an E. coli outbreak and a local raw milk dairy were unfounded, according to its owners.

Last week, Raw Farm near Kerman rescinded a voluntary product recall of its cheddar cheese products made from raw milk after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was behind an E. coli outbreak in four states.

No pathogens were found in the hundreds of product samples tested by the Food and Drug Administration, multiple state health agencies or private laboratory testing, according to a Raw Farm news release.

The recall was lifted on Feb. 26.

Aaron McAfee, president of Raw Farm, said he was pressed into issuing a voluntary recall and pulling their cheeses from store shelves.

McAfee shared documents from Fresno’s Food Safety Net Services, a food testing lab, showing none of the samples tested had positive results.

McAfee said that the FDA has shown its bias towards raw cheese with its failure to respond to requests for information or cooperate during the investigation.

“We are officially and full on in defense and attack mode, simultaneously, McAfee said. “We are defending our family business, while also attacking against what happened to us.”

He said the actions by the CDC and the FDA have been damaging and unfair. For example, sales through Sprouts retail stores account for 60% of Raw Farm’s sales. Sprouts continues to follow CDC guidance in not stocking its cheese products, McAfee said.

McAfee said this recall will not stop his customers. At $17.99 a gallon, McAfee said they are not deterred by price. Raw milk enthusiasts frequently praise the taste and health benefits of raw milk.

The CDC website warns consumers of the risks associated with raw milk, stating it’s one of the riskier foods to eat because it has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria.

People who get sick from raw milk may experience diarrhea, stomach cramping and vomiting, according to the CDC website.