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A Fresno County raw milk dairy is being linked to salmonella cases in Southern California.

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency has linked nine cases of salmonella illness to unpasteurized “raw” milk or milk products from Raw Farm LLC in Fresno.

Nine San Diego County residents who became ill reported consuming Raw Farm LLC products the week before they fell ill.

The people taken ill with salmonella range in age from 1 to 41 years old. Three of the nine that were hospitalized were children.

San Diego County health officials recommend that people who have Raw Farm’s products in their homes dispose of them immediately.

“It’s also important for anyone sick to seek medical care. People who are ill, and those that live with them, should wash their hands frequently to avoid contaminating surfaces and foods that could spread the disease., said Dr. Seema Sha, medical director of the county’s Epidemiology & Immunization Services Branch.

Raw milk has not gone through the pasteurization process that uses heat to kill harmful germs, including salmonella, listeria, E. coli and other bacteria, viruses and parasites, according to San Diego County health officials.

People infected with salmonella generally develop bloody or watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting and headache approximately six days after consuming contaminated foods.

The illness typically lasts four to seven days.

According to Raw Farm’s website, the five generation family-owned company was established in 1998 by CEO and founder Mark McAfee. Previously named Organic Pastures Dairy Company, the company has been associated with several instances of illness related to bacteria that included voluntary recalls.

Along with raw milk, Raw Farm also produces, cheese, shredded cheese, butter, creamer and more.

Aaron McAfee, Raw Farm’s CEO, told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the company contracts with a testing firm to check daily for bacteria.

“We have sent our retail partners and the Department of Public Health the negative results for the milk that is actually in stores right now,” McAfee said, adding that independent monthly tests conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture also show negative results.

He said the company would never sell products if those tests ever came back positive.

“We take the safety of our consumers very, very seriously,” McAfee said. “It is our top priority.

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