Protecting families from contaminated food and water
All fields are required
Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Campylobacter,E. coli,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls,Raw Milk on August 5, 2025
Raw milk in Florida can only be sold for “non-human consumption.” It is still available on the market as “pet or animal food,” though. Making the potentially risk product available to the public, but without significant oversight.
Despite reports of an uptick in raw milk-related illnesses such as Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (some of which include children), no official recall has been announced.
However, in response to these findings, the Florida Department of Health has issued an “Update on Raw Milk” as a sort of advisory. It is meant to serve as a warning to residents who may choose to consume the product themselves, despite the required warning label.
Here’s what we know about the developing raw milk in Florida situation so far.
On Monday, August 4, 2025, the Florida Department of Health issued an Update on Raw Milk. This update explained the basic rules for the sale of raw milk in the state of Florida and a warning about the risks of human consumption.
According to the statement:
“In Florida, raw milk an only be sold for non-human consumption as pet or animal food, which limits regulation efforts of sanitary practices. Containers must have a label clearly stating that the raw milk is for animal consumption only.”
While the label explains humans should not consume it, we all know that labels aren’t always observed. Especially when it comes to food.
For example, serving sizes are widely ignored. We sometimes take the next dose of an over-the-counter pain medication before the recommended time. Don’t get me started on speed limit signs.
Florida Department of Health even acknowledges that people are consuming these products.
The statement explains that “Floridians should be aware of potential risks associated with consumption, which may vary depending on the source of the milk.” Things like how it’s handled, cleanliness of the bottling environment, and how it’s stored, for example.
The Department says that, “many people consume raw milk safely. However, raw milk can contain disease-causing bacteria, such as Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, Salmonella, and others.” Illness resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. As well as many serious or even life-threatening complications.
So far, there have been 21 cases of foodborne illness associated with raw milk in Florida. Of those, six were children under the age of 10 years old.
At least seven people have been hospitalized. Two have experienced severe complications.
While a specific farm has not been named, it appears that at least most of the cases have been associated with a single raw milk farm.
Raw milk is a term used for milk that has not been pasteurized. It has not been heat treated to kill potential illness-causing germs that can make their way into dairy products. This term applies to milk from cows, sheep, or goats alike. The most effective heat treatment for raw milk is pasteurization.
Pasteurization is a widely used process invented in 1864, by the namesake inventor, Louis Pasteur. Pasteur discovered a way to heat treat beverages in order to kill harmful microorganisms. The germs responsible for diseases such as listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Q fever, and brucellosis.
While the original intent for pasteurization was to help increase the shelf life and reduce spoilage of beer, wine, and other beverages, it is most commonly associated with milk. Many illnesses prior to pasteurization were linked to milk and dairy products. A problem that has almost entirely been eradicated.
In fact, since the mainstream application of pasteurization, the number of milk-related outbreaks has decreased from 25% to only 1%. With 70% of those outbreaks involving raw milk.
This Update on Raw Milk in Florida advisory specifically mentioned Campylobacter and E. coli illnesses. These are very common in raw milk-related illnesses. Other raw milk-related outbreaks have been associated with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) and Salmonella as well.
Campylobacter is a bacteria commonly associated with raw milk. These bacterial infections can cause serious illness. People usually begin feeling sick around two to five days after ingesting campylobacter bacteria or something contaminated with it. Most people begin feeling better in about a week. However, some people may experience additional complications.
Campylobacter symptoms to look out for:
Certain people with weakened immune systems such as those with AIDS, receiving chemotherapy, or people with a blood disorder may develop a life-threatening infection if it spreads to the bloodstream.
Some raw milk-related infections involve E. coli bacteria. Symptoms of this illness can range from mild to severe. Most people begin feeling sick around three to four days after exposure. However, some may begin feeling sick as early as one day or as late as 10 days or more after eating contaminated food.
People generally recover from E. coli infections within about a week (five to seven days). However, some people may experience other complications. The elderly, young children, and those with a weakened immune system may experience more severe symptoms or develop a serious complication.
Listeria infections are also common in raw milk-related outbreaks. This type of bacterial infection is complicated, in that they impact people who are pregnant differently than those who are not. More deadly outcomes often occur in the latter. Especially when the bacteria leave the digestive system and enter other parts of the body.
Intestinal illness often begins within around 24 hours of consuming contaminated food and lasts for around one to three days.
Intestinal Listeria infection symptoms to look out for:
Invasive illness happens when Listeria bacteria move beyond the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. If this happens, it usually occurs around two weeks after exposure.
Symptoms of invasive illness in non-pregnant people:
Invasive Listeria infections in those who are not pregnant are particularly deadly. 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
While personal symptoms of invasive illness are relatively milder for the pregnant person, the impact on the pregnancy can be devastating.
Symptoms of invasive illness in pregnant people:
Salmonella infections are also commonly associated with contaminated raw milk. These symptoms can begin anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure.
Symptoms to look out for include:
In most cases, symptoms are resolved within a week (four to seven days).
In addition to initially feeling bad after becoming sick from raw milk contamination, other serious complications may arise.
These long-term complications can have lasting effects on the body after a single exposure to contaminated raw milk.
If you have become sick from raw milk in Florida and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help.
Call (833) 330-3663 for more your free, no obligation consultation to discuss the details of your situation. Or click here to email and a member of our compassionate team will get back with you shortly.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)