New Smyrna Beach Alarmed: Florida Farm Named in Raw Milk Outbreak That Sickened 21 — HEALTH ADVISORY IN EFFECT

New Smyrna Beach – Florida health officials have confirmed a dangerous outbreak: raw milk from Keely Farms Dairy in New Smyrna Beach has sickened 21 people—including six children under the age of 10—with E. coli and Campylobacter infections. Since January, seven individuals have required hospitalization, and at least two developed severe complications. This revelation comes amid a troubling resurgence in demand for raw milk, despite long-standing public health warnings about its risks. Florida law prohibits the sale of raw milk for human consumption, though it can be legally sold as pet or livestock feed—an exploit reportedly used by the farm, which promoted its products via private online groups. Health officials continue to investigate and are pushing for better sanitation practices to prevent further illness. The development raises pressing concerns about food safety enforcement and public compliance with health guidelines.

Key Facts

• BREAKING/NEW DEVELOPMENT: State identifies Keely Farms Dairy in New Smyrna Beach as the raw milk source linked to illness.

• IMPACT: 21 sickened, including six children under 10; seven hospitalized; two with severe complications.

• OFFICIAL SOURCE: “Sanitation practices… are of particular concern” at the identified farm.

• ACTION: Public urged to consume only pasteurized milk products; authorities to strengthen sanitation enforcement.

Hyperlocal Impact

1. Precise Location:
   New Smyrna Beach, just northeast of Orlando—site of the implicated dairy operations.

2. Community Connection:
   “We didn’t expect such an outbreak tied to unpasteurized milk close to home.”
   – Concerned local parent, echoing neighborhood alarm.

Exclusive Angle — WHY THIS MATTERS NOW

This incident underscores a growing conflict: rising raw milk popularity versus well-documented health hazards. Medical authorities—including the FDA and CDC—strongly advise against consuming unpasteurized dairy, citing its potential to harbor pathogens that pasteurization effectively eliminates. The plague of outbreaks—143 linked to raw milk since 1987—reflects a persistent public misunderstanding stemming from wellness trends and regulatory loopholes. Florida’s legal workaround—selling milk labeled for “animal use only”—has failed to protect consumers, exposing children and vulnerable populations to avoidable risks. It’s a call to reinforce public education, tighten enforcement, and close ambiguous marketing tactics.

Update Log

• Aug 4, 2025: Florida Department of Health issues alert—21 sickened, linked to same farm.

• Aug 8, 2025: Keely Farms Dairy identified; statements reveal farm was “blindsided.”

• Now: Health officials press for sanitation enforcement and pasteurized milk guidance.

Ultimately, this outbreak is a stark reminder that marketing hype cannot trump public health. Pasteurization remains the only proven method to make milk safe—and now, more than ever, awareness and accountability are critical.