Raw Milk Outbreak Triggers Health Alert in Florida
(MENAFN) A bacterial outbreak linked to raw milk from a Florida farm has left at least 21 people ill, including six children under the age of 10, prompting state health officials to issue an urgent warning, according to U.S. media reports on Monday.
Health authorities in Florida have confirmed that those affected contracted E. coli and Campylobacter—both dangerous pathogens commonly associated with unpasteurized dairy. Officials have strongly advised the public to avoid drinking raw milk amid the ongoing investigation.
Seven of those infected required hospitalization, and two are suffering from serious complications, the reports noted.
In a statement, the Florida Department of Health pointed to poor hygiene standards at the source of the outbreak. While the farm involved has not been publicly identified, the agency emphasized, "Sanitation practices in this farm are of particular concern due to the number of cases."
Raw milk sales for human consumption are illegal in Florida. However, the law permits its sale when labeled as pet food. Federally, the U.S. mandates pasteurization—a heat treatment process that eliminates harmful bacteria—for any milk distributed across state lines. Despite health warnings, raw milk sales have been on the rise, fueled by online wellness influencers and advocates of raw food diets.
Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have long cautioned that raw milk can carry potentially deadly bacteria, including Listeria, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. These pathogens can trigger severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, and in extreme cases, may lead to kidney failure.
Past outbreaks tied to raw milk and its byproducts have resulted in dire outcomes—including miscarriages, stillbirths, and fatalities—dating back to at least 1987, according to U.S. media accounts.
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