Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Campylobacter,Campylobacter Attorney,Campylobacter Lawsuit,Campylobacter Lawyer,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on November 10, 2025
Utah Public Health officials are investigating a Campylobacter outbreak linked to raw milk in Utah. Cases have been reported in and around the Salt Lake County area. So far 10 people in the county and another 4 across the state have been sickened with the same bacteria. Almost all of those sickened confirmed drinking raw milk prior to falling ill.
According to the Salt Lake County Department of Health, there are 14 people infected in this outbreak. Ages range from as young as 2 years old to 73 years old. So far, one person was sick enough to require hospitalization, but they are now recovering at home.
Raw milk has been implicated in this outbreak, as 12 of the 14 patients confirmed that they consumed raw milk prior to becoming sick. Additionally, Campylobacter is a common bacteria associated with raw milk outbreaks.
Raw milk is fresh milk from cows, goats or sheep that has not been treated by a process called pasteurization.
Pasteurization, named for Louis Pasteur, who developed the process about 150 years ago is a process of temperature cycling designed to kill harmful bacteria that might be lurking in the milk. In most cases, chilled raw milk is heated to 161 °F and held for at least 15 seconds before quickly cooling it back to a chilled 39 °F.
There are other versions of pasteurization known as low-temp pasteurization and even ways that milk can be treated to make it shelf stable. However, raw milk still persists in many areas and is highly regulated.
Raw milk in Utah is not illegal in the state of Utah; however, there are very specific criteria for the risky dairy product.
First, farms selling raw milk to the public must have a license to do so by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. There are currently 16 licensed raw milk retailers in the state of Utah. Salt Lake County is home to three of those dairies.
Raw milk can only be sold directly from the farm to the consumer. Grocery stores and other retailers are prohibited from selling unpasteurized dairy products.
Raw milk poses inherent health risks, namely that it may be contaminated with harmful bacteria found in the dairy animal’s environment.
Bacteria such as:
These bacteria are found in the digestive system of often perfectly healthy animals. When feces or trace amounts of the bacteria make their way into the milk, it becomes contaminated.
This can occur from poor cleaning activities. Udders must be sanitized prior to milking. Equipment used to extract milk and hold it must also be kept clean and sanitized; otherwise, small amounts of bacteria, such as Listeria grow and thrive in that environment.
Contaminated raw milk does not look, smell, or even taste any different from uncontaminated milk. You cannot rely on your senses to determine if it is safe to consume.
While “raw milk” makes the headlines, any application of raw dairy is potentially dangerous. This includes cream, butter, or queso fresco.
All dairy products made from raw milk that are not cooked or heated sufficiently to kill harmful bacteria are a potential health risk.
According to reports, since 2009 there have been at least 25 documented Campylobacter outbreaks associated with raw milk consumption. This has resulted in a total of 295 confirmed cases of the bacterial infection and many hospitalizations.
Campylobacter infections, known as campylobacteriosis, often present with diarrheal symptoms. This includes diarrhea (often bloody), fever, headache, and stomach cramps. Some may also experience nausea and vomiting. Campylobacter symptoms generally begin around 2 to 5 days after exposure and last about a week.
Campylobacteriosis can be very serious, particularly in young children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with a weakened immune system. In fact, Campylobacter can occasionally spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body in people with a weakened immune system and those with a blood disorder. People with AIDS or receiving chemotherapy are also more vulnerable to these types of life-threatening infections.
While most people can recover on their own without medical intervention, some may experience illness that is serious enough to require hospitalization.
Other long-term complications include irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and even temporary paralysis.
According to the Salt Lake County Department of Health, there are a few things consumers can do to help decrease the risk of illness consuming purchased raw milk products.
The Salt Lake County Department of Health suggests consumers perform a kind of pasteurization process at home in an effort to kill any lurking bacteria.
According to the news release, consumers should heat raw milk to 165 °F for at least 10 seconds. The milk should be cooled prior to consuming it.
Always keep raw milk products refrigerated. A temperature of 40 °F or below is ideal. A thermometer in the refrigerator is key to monitoring this variable. The Salt Lake County Department of Health also indicates that raw milk should not be left out at room temperature.
If you have symptoms consistent with Campylobacter infection after consuming raw milk you should reach out to your healthcare provider, particularly if your symptoms are severe. Reporting your illness can help your fellow citizens by allowing investigators to narrow down the source of the outbreak.
Raw milk, while it poses a health risk, particularly for those in certain higher risk groups, is available for commerce in the state of Utah. This creates a certain level of trust in the product and the provider. When people get sick, that trust is broken.
If you have become sick in this Campylobacter outbreak linked to raw milk in Utah, you may have questions. The experienced Campylobacter Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm can help answer those questions. Reach out today for a free consultation by calling (833) 330-3663 or click here to email.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)