TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Department of Health has identified Keely Farms Dairy as the sour
ce of raw milk that has sickened 21 people with E. coli or campylobacter since January.
A manager of the farm in New Smyrna Beach, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northeast of Orlando, said th
e Health Department did not contact the farm before making the announcement.
“The Department of Health has not informed Keely Farms of any investigation or administrative action,” Keely Exum
said in an emailed statement, adding that the farm was “blindsided” and will reach out to the agency.
Since Jan. 24, six children under the age of 10 have been infected and seven people have been hospitalized, acco
rding to state officials. At least two cases developed severe complications. The department has not said if any of the six children are among those treated in hospital
s, nor how many people were infected by E. coli, campylobacter or both bacteria.
“The Florida Department of Health will continue working with Keely Farms Dairy to ensure that effective sanitation
practices are implemented consistently across every batch,” the department said in an updated statement Thursday.
The Health Department said Floridians “should be aware of potential risks” associated with consuming raw d
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airy but stopped short of issuing the same directive as the state’s commissioner of agriculture, who encourag
ed Floridians to “protect their health by only consuming pasteurized milk products.”
Raw milk appears to be gaining in popularity, despite years of warnings about the health risks of drinking unpasteurized products. The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say raw milk is one of the riskiest foods people can consume.
States have widely varying regulations regarding raw milk, with some allowing retail purchases in stores and others allowing sale only at farms.