“It’s shocking”; Massive raw milk outbreak from 2023 finally reported

On October 20, 2023, health authorities in San Diego County, California, issued a press release alerting the public to a Salmonella outbreak associated with raw (unpasteurized) milk. This announcement, while alarming, was not entirely unexpected; the primary reason most milk is pasteurized is to eliminate harmful pathogens that can easily contaminate milk on farms, posing serious health risks, especially to children. Public health officials have consistently advised against the consumption of raw milk due to these dangers. At the time of the initial warning, nine individuals were confirmed to have fallen ill as a result of the outbreak, including three children, all of whom required hospitalization. By October 25, the situation had worsened, prompting the county to issue a subsequent press release indicating that the number of local cases had escalated to 12. The source of the contamination was traced back to raw milk and raw cream products from Raw Farm LLC, which were promptly recalled. On the same day, the health department in Orange County also reported seven cases among its residents, with one case involving a one-year-old infant. Both counties highlighted that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was actively involved in managing the outbreak and had already posted a recall notice. However, it appeared that the CDPH did not release any follow-up information regarding the outbreak at that time. Despite the apparent lack of updates, the final investigation report from the CDPH and local health officials revealed that the outbreak extended from September 2023 to March 2024, affecting five states and resulting in a total of at least 171 confirmed illnesses. This comprehensive report was made public on July 24, 2025, shedding light on the extensive implications of the outbreak that had begun with seemingly isolated cases.