California Department of Public Health announces largest Salmonella (and other pathogens) Outbreak linked to Raw Milk in a decade – Well, no it did not!

At least 165 sick, 20 hospitalized, 40% five years of age or younger.

In February I reported the following Salmonella outbreak linked to Raw Farm LLC raw milk:

San Diego – 12 with Salmonella: County of San Diego health officials are reporting three additional cases of Salmonella illness linked to unpasteurized or “raw” milk from a producer in Fresno, CA.   

This brings the total number of local cases to 12, including three people who were hospitalized. The cases began in late September and the most recent person became ill on Oct. 17. 

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a recall of Raw Farm milk and heavy cream Oct. 24, and a PDF that contains the specific product identification numbers with “best by” dates between Oct. 11 and Nov. 6. Additional raw milk products were not recalled.   

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency urges anyone who may have recently purchased Raw Farm LLC raw milk to not consume it and discard the product. 

The illnesses have been caused by Salmonella bacteria, which is commonly found in human and animal intestines. The 12 San Diego County residents who became ill have reported consuming Raw Farm LLC raw milk the week before they became ill. Cases in other parts of the state are being tracked by CDPH and other local health departments. 

Orange County – 7 with Salmonella: The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has identified seven cases of Salmonella illness in Orange County (OC) residents following consumption of unpasteurized or “raw” milk from Raw Farm LLC, which recently issued a recall of its raw whole milk and raw heavy creams products.

The HCA urges those who may have purchased raw whole milk or raw heavy cream products from Raw Farm LLC to not consume the products and discard them immediately. Anyone who becomes ill after consuming raw milk or products made from raw milk, particularly products from Raw Farm LLC, should seek medical care immediately.

All confirmed cases had illness onset within the past 30 days, with affected individuals ranging in age from one to 20 years old. The HCA continues to investigate the situation in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The HCA is also reaching out to stores in the county who may be selling these products to assure that they are aware of the recall.

Today after months of delay we received an Interim Report from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – which surprise has at least 165 cases that include, Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli cases. Here is a portion from the report from January 2024:

From October 2023 through January 4, 2024, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in collaboration with California local health jurisdictions (LHJs), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and state and federal public health partners, has been investigating a multijurisdictional outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations have identified Raw Farm brand raw (unpasteurized) milk as the source of theoutbreak. As of January 4, 2024, 151 outbreak-associated cases have been reported. The investigation is ongoing.

Here is a PowerPoint presentation a month later:

Over the last 30 plus years of practice I have been a vocal advocate for robust public health involvement in disease – especially food borne illness prevention. It is beyond me to comprehend why public health would remain mute in the face of at least 165 sick, 20 hospitalized and 40% of the ill five years or younger – especially raw milk – a risky elixir.

Republished with permission from Bill Marler and Marler Clark. Copyright (c) Marler Clark LLP, PS. All rights reserved.