Major Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk in California Affects Over 160 People
Source: The DairyNews
Dozens of people have fallen ill with salmonella after consuming raw milk from Raw Farm in Fresno, California, marking one of the largest salmonella outbreaks related to raw milk in the United States over the past decade.
As of February, state records have confirmed at least 165 individuals contracted salmonella linked to the farm's products.
This revelation of the outbreak's extensive impact follows a warning from health officials regarding the risks associated with unpasteurized milk, heightened by the circulation of the bird flu virus Type A H5N1 in U.S. dairy herds. Detected in over 140 herds, this virus has been found in high concentrations in raw milk, further compounding health risks.
The outbreak's details had not been fully disclosed to the public until recently, with initial reports in San Diego last October indicating about a dozen cases. In response, Raw Farm issued a voluntary recall for its milk and heavy cream sold between October 11 and November 6. However, new documents obtained by food safety lawyer Bill Marler reveal ongoing cases and a broader spread, implicating the farm’s products in infections across four states, primarily in California.
Samples from infected individuals matched those from the farm and a retail store, solidifying the link to Raw Farm products. Of those interviewed, more than 60% confirmed they had consumed products from Raw Farm. Notably, children under five represented nearly 40% of the cases, with twenty people hospitalized, though no deaths were reported.
In light of these events, California health officials conducted a thorough investigation in collaboration with local and state agriculture teams. Public notifications were made through the October recall notice and subsequent social media updates. The outbreak was declared ended on May 4, but it remains unclear if additional cases were reported post-February.
Raw Farm owner Mark McAfee acknowledged the involvement of his products in the outbreak, attributing it to a single cow infected with salmonella last fall, which has since been removed from the herd. Following the outbreak, McAfee implemented enhanced testing protocols to prevent future incidents.
The outbreak has prompted legal action from affected families, including Jessie McGee from San Pedro, California, whose young daughter was hospitalized due to the infection. McGee, who was drawn to raw milk by its purported health benefits, expressed her disillusionment and intent to discontinue using unpasteurized milk products, emphasizing that the risks far outweigh the potential benefits.
This revelation of the outbreak's extensive impact follows a warning from health officials regarding the risks associated with unpasteurized milk, heightened by the circulation of the bird flu virus Type A H5N1 in U.S. dairy herds. Detected in over 140 herds, this virus has been found in high concentrations in raw milk, further compounding health risks.
The outbreak's details had not been fully disclosed to the public until recently, with initial reports in San Diego last October indicating about a dozen cases. In response, Raw Farm issued a voluntary recall for its milk and heavy cream sold between October 11 and November 6. However, new documents obtained by food safety lawyer Bill Marler reveal ongoing cases and a broader spread, implicating the farm’s products in infections across four states, primarily in California.
Samples from infected individuals matched those from the farm and a retail store, solidifying the link to Raw Farm products. Of those interviewed, more than 60% confirmed they had consumed products from Raw Farm. Notably, children under five represented nearly 40% of the cases, with twenty people hospitalized, though no deaths were reported.
In light of these events, California health officials conducted a thorough investigation in collaboration with local and state agriculture teams. Public notifications were made through the October recall notice and subsequent social media updates. The outbreak was declared ended on May 4, but it remains unclear if additional cases were reported post-February.
Raw Farm owner Mark McAfee acknowledged the involvement of his products in the outbreak, attributing it to a single cow infected with salmonella last fall, which has since been removed from the herd. Following the outbreak, McAfee implemented enhanced testing protocols to prevent future incidents.
The outbreak has prompted legal action from affected families, including Jessie McGee from San Pedro, California, whose young daughter was hospitalized due to the infection. McGee, who was drawn to raw milk by its purported health benefits, expressed her disillusionment and intent to discontinue using unpasteurized milk products, emphasizing that the risks far outweigh the potential benefits.
