Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Ministry of Health identified Keely Farms Dairy as the source of raw milk which has reached 21 people with E. Coli or Campylobacter since January.
The New Smyrna Beach farm, around 40 miles (64 kilometers) northeast of Orlando, did not respond to the telephone and electronic messages of the Associated Press.
Since January 24, six children under the age of 10 have been infected and seven people have been hospitalized, according to state officials. At least two cases have developed serious complications. The ministry only said if one of the six children was one of those treated in hospitals, or the number of people infected with E. coli, Campylobacter or the two bacteria.
“The Florida Department of Health will continue to work with Keely Farms Dairy to ensure that effective sanitation practices are implemented in a coherent manner on each lot,” the ministry said in a statement updated on Thursday.
The Department of Health said that the Floridians “should be aware of the potential risks” associated with the consumption of raw dairy products but have not stopped publishing the same directive as the Commissioner of the State of Agriculture, which encouraged the Floridians to “protect their health by only consuming pasteurized dairy products”.
Raw milk seems to be gaining popularity, despite years of warnings on health risks to drink non -pasteurized products. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that raw milk is one of the most risky foods that people can consume.
States have very variable regulations concerning raw milk, some allowing retail purchases in stores and others only allow sale on farms.
In Florida, the sale of raw milk for human consumption is illegal, but retailers bypass the prohibition by labeling their products as for pet food or animals.
In recent months, Keely Farms Dairy has repeatedly promoted its products in a private Facebook group where Florida suppliers and consumers coordinate raw milk purchases.
In a warning on her website, Keely Farms Dairy recognizes the legal prohibitions to sell her products so that people can drink.
“Since the federal law prohibits the sale of raw milk for human consumption, please do not discuss such use with us, because it will endanger our ability to sell you raw milk. As required by Florida’s law, our product is labeled and sold as food food,” said the warning.
___ Kate Payne is a member of the body for the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a non-profit national services program that places journalists from local editorial rooms to account for undercurrent issues.
