Florida health officials warn about risks of raw milk after 21 infections linked to farm

Florida health officials are warning people about the possible risks of consuming raw milk after 21 people, including children, were recently infected all from one farm.

The popularity of consuming unpasteurized milk has surged in Florida in the past few years, although it is one of a few states nationwide that only allows it to be sold as pet or animal food and not for human consumption.

While many drink it safely, disease-causing bacteria can be in raw milk, including Campylobacter, E. coli, listeria and salmonella, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Out of the recent infections of Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli linked to the same farm, six included children under the age of 10 and seven people were hospitalized, the health department said in a news release Monday. At least two people had severe complications from drinking the raw milk.

‘Hungry for this kind of food.’ Raw milk use surging in Florida despite law banning sales for human consumption

The farm was not identified in the release, but those who became ill were in the northeastern and central parts of Florida, according to the statement.

“Sanitation practices in this farm are of particular concern due to the number of cases,” the statement said.

Campylobacter are bacteria that live in internal organs of cows, chickens and other animals. It causes diarrhea, and it takes very little to become ill, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, STEC, infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney problems, permanent health issues or death.

In 2014, a Floridian became ill with a listeria infection by drinking raw milk from a farm in Pennsylvania and died, according to the CDC.

While some studies have shown benefits of consuming raw milk, the CDC says only pasteurized dairy products should be consumed, especially for vulnerable demographics: Children under 5 years old, pregnant women, people age 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems.