Updated July 2024 with new information about a 2023 Salmonella outbreak After altering its production process, Organic Pastures, a 90-acre dairy in Fresno, CA, rebranded to become Raw Farm in 2020. The name change more accurately reflects its current operations – all of its products are raw (unpasteurized), but are no longer organic. Instead, milk and cheese from the nation’s largest producer of raw dairy products are now billed as non-GMO.
Although the certification, labeling, and brand name of these products have changed, one thing about them has remained constant. They still frequently cause illness.
In the last four months, Raw Farm’s unpasteurized milk and cheese have been linked to two food poisoning outbreaks caused by different bacteria that have sickened at least 29 people. One of the four people hospitalized is battling a life-threatening complication stemming from the infection.
Since 2006, Organic Pastures/Raw Farm has been linked to 13 recalls caused by E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Campylobacter and six outbreaks – 2006, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2023, and 2024. In each outbreak, children accounted for a significant percentage of people sickened.
2024 Raw Farm Cheddar E. coli Outbreak, Recall
Currently, Raw Farm cheddar cheese is the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened 10 people hospitalizing four of them. One person has hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure that is a complication of some E. coli infections, especially children and teens. The patients in this outbreak range in age from two to 58 years old with a median age of 24.
All cheddar sold shredded and in bricks made before a certain has been recalled.
In August 2023, Raw Farm cheddar was recalled for contamination with a different bacteria- Salmonella. Two months later, raw milk and cream produced by the dairy was linked to a Salmonella outbreak.
2023 Raw Farm Milk Salmonella Outbreak, Recall
In October 2023, a Raw Farm raw milk Salmonella outbreak sickened 164 people in four states. Twenty people were hospitalized. The patients ranged in age from less than 1 year old to 87 years old. A recall was issued for milk and cream products.
2020 Name Change from Organic Pastures to Raw Farm
In 2019, Organic Pastures made the decision to add supplemental feed from an outside source to the diet of its herd. Although the grazing area and crops grown at the farm are still organic, the feed is not and, therefore, neither are the finished products.
2016 Organic Pastures Raw Milk and Cream Salmonella Recalls 1 and 2
In May 2016, tests performed by California agriculture officials on Organic Pastures raw milk and cream were positive for Salmonella. This finding triggered a statewide recall and quarantine. Two weeks later, in a follow-up visit, inspectors again found Salmonella in raw milk and cream and issued another Salmonella raw milk recall.
2016 Organic Pastures E. coli Outbreak, Recall
A February 2016 Organic Pastures E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak sickened six children. A raw milk E.coli recall was issued.
2015 Organic Pastures Campylobacter Recall
In October 2015, tests performed by California agriculture officials on Organic Pastures raw milk were positive for Campylobacter. This triggered a statewide Organic Pastures Campylobacter raw whole milk recall.
2012 Organic Pastures Raw Milk Campylobacter Recall
In September 2012, an Organic Pastures raw milk Campylobacter recall was issued after tests performed by California agriculture officials on Organic Pastures raw milk were positive for Campylobacter.
2012 Organic Pastures Campylobacter Outbreak, Recall
In May 2012, an Organic Pastures Campylobacter outbreak sickened 10 people ranging age from nine months to 38 years old. Six of them were children. A statewide raw milk, cream, and butter Campylobacter recall was issued.
2011 Organic Pastures E. coli Raw Milk Outbreak, Recall
A November 2011 Organic Pastures E. coli O157:H7 raw milk outbreak sickened five children between the ages of 1 and 5. Three of them suffered HUS. The outbreak triggered a statewide raw milk E. coli recall.
2008 Organic Pastures Raw Cream Campylobacter Recall
A September 2008 Organic Pastures Raw Cream Campylobacter recall was issued after tests performed by California agriculture officials on Organic Pastures raw cream were positive for Campylobacter.
2007 Organic Pastures Raw Cream Listeria Recall
In September 2007, California agriculture officials found Listeria in Organic Pastures raw cream prompting a statewide Listeria recall.
2006 Organic Pastures Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak, Recall
A 2006 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to raw milk from Organic Pastures sickened four children ages 7 to 10. All of them were hospitalized. The outbreak triggered a raw milk E. coli recall
Symptoms of an E. coli Infection
Symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody. Usually, these symptoms develop one to three days after exposure to contaminated food. The people sickened in the ongoing E. coli outbreak first became ill on dates ranging from October 18, 2023, to January 29, 2024.
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications and antibiotics should not be given to patients with E. coli infections as they can increase the chance of developing HUS.
Roughly 7 percent of E. coli patients, most often children, develop the HUS. Symptoms usually set in about one week after E. coli symptoms. They include:
- Pale skin
- Skin that easily bruises
- Decreased urine output
- Lethargy
- Bloody diarrhea
Anyone with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care as HUS can be fatal. Treatment for HUS includes transfusions, dialysis, plasma exchange, and kidney transplants.
Experienced E. coli Lawyers
The E. coli Team at Pritzker Hageman has represented clients in every major U.S. E. coli outbreak. In one recent case, our team of E. coli lawyers obtained one of the largest E. coli verdicts in U.S. history.
If you or your family member developed an E. coli infection from contaminated Raw Farm cheese and you would like a free consultation with an experienced E. coli lawyer, please contact us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.