In early August 2025, Florida health authorities confirmed a concerning outbreak of foodborne illness. Twenty one people, including six children under the age of 10, fell ill due to E. coli and Campylobacter infections linked to raw, unpasteurized milk from Keely Farms Dairy in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Seven patients required hospitalization, with at least two experiencing severe complications.
Timeline & Scope
The Florida Department of Health traced the cluster of illnesses back to raw milk produced by Keely Farms Dairy, sold, despite state law, as pet or animal food to circumvent the ban on sales for human consumption.
Since January 24, 2025, the cases spanned northeast and central Florida, signaling a prolonged health concern rather than an isolated incident.
Health Impacts
- Total sickened: 21 individuals
- Children affected: 6 under the age of 10
- Hospitalizations: 7, with at least 2 facing severe complications, including possible hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a dangerous condition that can cause kidney failure, especially in children.
Why Raw Milk Is Risky
Pathogen Presence
Raw milk bypasses pasteurization, the vital heat process that kills harmful bacteria like E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Listeria. These pathogens can not only survive but thrive in unpasteurized products.
Florida regulations permit raw milk only as animal feed, which inherently reduces sanitary oversight. Many vendors exploit this loophole, selling raw milk labeled as “pet consumption” despite knowing it’s consumed by people.
Public Health Expertise
Medical and public health authorities, including the FDA and CDC, consistently counsel against drinking raw milk, emphasizing that pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional value without exposing consumers to these preventable risks.
Legal Repercussions and Ongoing Concerns
Shortly after the outbreak, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of a 20-week pregnant woman and her two-year-old son. Both became ill after consuming Keely Farms’ raw milk. Her child was hospitalized for 10 days; she developed sepsis, lost her unborn child, and was hospitalized for nearly three weeks.
The legal action underscores the real human toll of such outbreaks, extending far beyond stomach upset to devastating medical and personal consequences.
Meanwhile, Keely Farms released a statement saying they were “blindsided” by the health department’s announcement, claiming they had not been contacted prior. State officials, however, continue to emphasize the need for improved sanitation and oversight at the farm.
Broader Implications & Lessons
1. Sanitation Gaps at Raw Milk Producers
The investigation pointed to concerning practices at Keely Farms, making it clear that raw milk producers face unique safety challenges, not just from the product, but from handling and facility cleanliness.
2. Vulnerable Populations at Higher Risk
Children, as young as toddlers, were among those affected. The incident illustrates how unpasteurized products disproportionately threaten those under 10, pregnant women, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals due to increased susceptibility to severe complications of foodborne illnesses.
3. Regulatory Loopholes Create Hazards
Although raw milk is banned for human consumption in Florida, the pet-food workaround allows distribution without rigorous safety checks or labeling clarity, creating elevated risk for consumers.
4. Pasteurization Protects Lives, Not Just Nutrition
The nutritional parity between raw and pasteurized milk underscores that pasteurization doesn’t compromise quality but dramatically improves safety, firmly backed by decades of public health data.
What Consumers Should Know
- Avoid raw milk entirely, especially products labeled “for animal consumption only,” as these are not safe for human use.
- Stick with pasteurized dairy products, which undergo crucial treatment to eliminate life-threatening pathogens.
- Be vigilant even when buying from trusted sources. Vendors may misrepresent the safety or legitimacy of raw milk offerings.
- Report illness to health departments if you suspect it’s linked to consumption of unsanitary dairy.
Final Note
This raw milk outbreak in Florida is a stark reminder of why pasteurization is a public health cornerstone. What began as a desire for natural or farm-fresh options ended in hospital wards, severe complications, and a heartbreaking legal battle.
As health experts reiterate: safe dairy starts with heat treatment, not loopholes. Protecting families means choosing safety over myths, pasteurized over raw.
