Foodborne illness investigations tied to unpasteurized dairy have become a recurring public health issue in the U.S. This latest case centers on Raw Farm LLC in California, where health officials are investigating a Campylobacter outbreak linked to recalled raw milk.
What officials have confirmed so far
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and California health officials have investigated illnesses connected to Raw Farm raw milk, and the company announced a recall in October 2023 after state testing found Campylobacter in a retail sample. The California Department of Food and Agriculture said the recalled product was Raw Farm LLC whole raw milk in gallon and half-gallon sizes with a best-by date of Nov. 6, 2023.
Raw Farm, based in Fresno County, confirmed the recall affected code dates tied to that production run. State officials said stores were instructed to pull the milk from shelves, and the California Department of Public Health warned consumers not to drink the affected product.
Campylobacter is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, according to the CDC. The agency has said symptoms usually begin 2 to 5 days after exposure, and illness often lasts about 1 week.
What this means in California right now
California is the main state named in the investigation because the recalled milk was produced and sold there. State agencies confirmed the product came from Raw Farm LLC in Fresno County, but officials have not released a full public breakdown of how many stores or counties received every affected lot.
What is confirmed is that the recalled milk included gallon and half-gallon containers sold at retail before the Nov. 6, 2023 best-by date listed by state officials. The California Department of Public Health said consumers who have the affected milk should not drink it and should throw it away.
Officials have not publicly confirmed a final case count in every community tied to the recalled lots. They also have not released a complete statewide list of any additional products under investigation beyond the specific raw whole milk recall announced in October 2023.
Why raw milk keeps coming up in outbreaks
Public health agencies have long warned that raw milk carries a higher risk of contamination because it is not pasteurized. The CDC says pasteurization kills harmful germs including Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which is why outbreaks linked to raw dairy are tracked closely.
In this case, the investigation began after routine state testing identified Campylobacter in a retail sample, according to California regulators. That kind of sampling is a standard part of food safety enforcement and can trigger recalls before every possible illness is counted.
For shoppers, the practical takeaway is narrow and specific. Anyone with Raw Farm whole raw milk in gallon or half-gallon containers marked with the Nov. 6, 2023 best-by date should not consume it, while people with symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, or stomach cramps are generally advised by public health agencies to contact a healthcare provider; the investigation remained active as agencies worked to confirm the full scope.
