21 Fall Ill After Drinking Raw Milk in Florida, Including 6 Children—Officials Issue Warning

Florida health officials confirmed that 21 people have fallen ill after drinking raw milk produced by a single unnamed farm in northeast and central Florida. Among those sickened are six children under the age of 10. Seven patients were hospitalized, and at least two experienced severe complications.

Health authorities identified the bacteria involved as Campylobacter and Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The department did not specify which individuals were infected with which pathogen, nor whether the hospitalized children were under age 10.

Investigators linked all cases to raw milk from the same farm. Officials issued an advisory noting that sanitation practices at that farm are of particular concern given the number of illnesses aligned with its production.

Raw milk sale for human consumption is illegal in Florida. However, vendors bypass the ban by marketing it as pet or animal feed. This legal loophole limits regulatory oversight of hygiene standards at farms that produce the milk.

Common symptoms of STEC and Campylobacter include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and occasionally fever. STEC infections can escalate to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure especially severe in young children. Campylobacter may in rare cases lead to complications such as Guillain‑Barré syndrome.

Public health agencies including the CDC and FDA continue to warn that raw milk ranks among the riskiest food products available. Research shows raw milk is many times more likely to cause illness and hospitalization than pasteurized milk. One study cited in Food & Wine estimates raw milk causes 840 times more disease outbreaks and 45 times more hospitalizations than pasteurized alternatives.

Although many consumers believe in unpasteurized milk’s health benefits, experts emphasize that pasteurization eliminates dangerous bacteria without diminishing nutrients. The CDC and FDA recommend pasteurized milk for all consumers, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

The outbreak has drawn attention to promoters of raw milk, including some wellness influencers and political figures. The Daily Beast reported that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly championed raw milk despite known health risks. That article notes he participated in promotional activities and had previously aligned with producers now linked to contamination incidents.

State health officials continue to investigate. They have not disclosed the identity of the farm or detailed steps for preventing further illness. The bulletin aims to assist Floridians in making informed decisions about raw milk consumption by highlighting potential risks associated with its handling and distribution.

(Rh/Eth/MSM/SE)