Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Fresno Dairy Larger Than Reported, Lawsuits Follow
Source: DairyNews.today
A salmonella outbreak traced to raw milk from Fresno County’s Raw Farm LLC has infected significantly more people than initially reported, according to an updated report from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
The outbreak, spanning October 2023 to May 2024, resulted in 171 cases — 159 confirmed and 12 probable — across five states: California, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
Outbreak Details and Investigation
The outbreak began in San Diego County in October 2023 with eight reported salmonella cases linked to raw milk. Further investigation revealed a far-reaching issue, with illness onset dates ranging from September 2023 to March 2024.
Most cases were concentrated in Southern California, particularly Los Angeles and San Diego counties, while others were reported in the San Joaquin Valley, including Fresno, Stanislaus, Kings, Madera, and San Joaquin counties.
The outbreak was linked to Raw Farm LLC, the country’s leading supplier of raw dairy products. This comes as the same company faces scrutiny for recent avian flu detections in its products.
Raw Farm’s Response
Mark McAfee, founder of Raw Farm LLC, acknowledged the link between the outbreak and his dairy, stating, “We found the cow with salmonella — we are not denying that — and we got rid of it.”
McAfee said the dairy has since installed advanced pathogen-detection equipment and claims there have been no further issues.
However, the fallout includes 12 lawsuits filed by victims of the outbreak.
Legal Challenges and Victim Impact
Foodborne illness attorney Bill Marler, representing several victims, described the severity of the cases. Clients reportedly endured emergency room visits, weeks-long hospital stays, and long-term health effects such as chronic bowel issues.
One client accrued over $170,000 in medical expenses, while others continue to suffer from symptoms months after the outbreak.
McAfee questioned the scale of the claims, stating, “The demand being made on some of these cases is outrageous.” Marler countered, defending the legitimacy of his clients’ cases.
Loyal Customer Base Remains
Despite the controversy, Raw Farm retains a loyal customer base. Supporters have flooded the dairy’s social media accounts with messages of encouragement, with one user claiming government agencies unfairly target raw milk producers.
The dairy is currently under quarantine, unable to produce raw milk or cream products, as state officials continue monitoring.
Broader Challenges for Raw Milk Producers
The salmonella outbreak coincides with a wider avian flu crisis affecting California’s dairy industry. Roughly half of the state’s 1,100 dairies have reported cases of bird flu, further complicating production and regulatory oversight.
Outbreak Details and Investigation
The outbreak began in San Diego County in October 2023 with eight reported salmonella cases linked to raw milk. Further investigation revealed a far-reaching issue, with illness onset dates ranging from September 2023 to March 2024.
Most cases were concentrated in Southern California, particularly Los Angeles and San Diego counties, while others were reported in the San Joaquin Valley, including Fresno, Stanislaus, Kings, Madera, and San Joaquin counties.
The outbreak was linked to Raw Farm LLC, the country’s leading supplier of raw dairy products. This comes as the same company faces scrutiny for recent avian flu detections in its products.
Raw Farm’s Response
Mark McAfee, founder of Raw Farm LLC, acknowledged the link between the outbreak and his dairy, stating, “We found the cow with salmonella — we are not denying that — and we got rid of it.”
McAfee said the dairy has since installed advanced pathogen-detection equipment and claims there have been no further issues.
However, the fallout includes 12 lawsuits filed by victims of the outbreak.
Legal Challenges and Victim Impact
Foodborne illness attorney Bill Marler, representing several victims, described the severity of the cases. Clients reportedly endured emergency room visits, weeks-long hospital stays, and long-term health effects such as chronic bowel issues.
One client accrued over $170,000 in medical expenses, while others continue to suffer from symptoms months after the outbreak.
McAfee questioned the scale of the claims, stating, “The demand being made on some of these cases is outrageous.” Marler countered, defending the legitimacy of his clients’ cases.
Loyal Customer Base Remains
Despite the controversy, Raw Farm retains a loyal customer base. Supporters have flooded the dairy’s social media accounts with messages of encouragement, with one user claiming government agencies unfairly target raw milk producers.
The dairy is currently under quarantine, unable to produce raw milk or cream products, as state officials continue monitoring.
Broader Challenges for Raw Milk Producers
The salmonella outbreak coincides with a wider avian flu crisis affecting California’s dairy industry. Roughly half of the state’s 1,100 dairies have reported cases of bird flu, further complicating production and regulatory oversight.
