A mother in Florida has initiated a lawsuit against a dairy farm following an incident where raw milk reportedly led to serious health issues for her young child and the tragic loss of her pregnancy. The complaint, filed on August 13 in Seminole County Circuit Court, accuses Keely Farms Dairy, LLC, and Nature’s Natural Foods, LLC, operator of Wild Hare Natural Market, of negligence.
In her lawsuit, Rachel Maddox claims to be pursuing the case both for herself and on behalf of her toddler, who has experienced multiple hospitalizations after consuming the raw milk. An attorney for Maddox stated that the product labeling failed to inform consumers adequately of the potential health risks associated with such products.
Keely Farms, located in New Smyrna Beach, has refrained from making comments beyond an existing statement, while Wild Hare Natural Market has yet to respond to inquiries related to the case.
The controversy surrounding raw milk continues to invoke concern among health authorities. The CDC and FDA have consistently warned that unpasteurized milk can pose severe health risks due to potential pathogens. Despite this, Florida’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has emphasized consumers’ rights to make informed decisions regarding their health, acknowledging the risks involved.
Florida law currently prohibits the sale of raw milk explicitly for human consumption; however, products labeled for “animal feed” can still be purchased at retail outlets. This lawsuit potentially raises significant questions regarding whether existing laws and labeling practices effectively safeguard families from the dangers linked to unpasteurized milk, especially given that the state’s health department has traced over 20 illnesses back to the dairy’s products in recent months.
Maddox’s complaint details her own harrowing experience after purchasing raw milk from Wild Hare Natural Market in June. The labeling indicated the product was intended for animal consumption, a requirement the store cited. Shortly after her child consumed the milk, he developed severe gastrointestinal symptoms, resulting in hospitalization and subsequent surgery for intussusception, a serious intestinal condition. Maddox also reported feeling gravely ill after caring for her son and later suffered a miscarriage, which she attributed to complications linked to the milk.
The legal representative for Maddox, Ron Simon, asserts that the current labeling practices for Keely Farms products are grossly inadequate in communicating the risks of consumption. He noted that the ambiguous labeling could mislead consumers, as many might assume the safety of these products based on their display with regular grocery items.
Additionally, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed at least 21 illnesses associated with raw milk from Keely Farms since early 2025, including cases that necessitated hospital treatment and severe health complications, particularly among children. They raised concerns over the sanitation practices at the dairy and urged the public to consider the risks of consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
The legal framework in Florida prohibits the sale of raw milk for human consumption, allowing only pasteurized products and some aged cheeses for that purpose. Keely Farms acknowledges its compliance with these regulations but stands accused of failing to adequately inform consumers about the nature of their products.
Maddox’s lawsuit seeks to obtain compensation for medical costs, lost income, and emotional distress connected to the illnesses suffered by her child and the loss of her pregnancy. It also aims to identify how the alleged contamination transpired, with hopes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A trial date for the case has not yet been established, and any forthcoming proceedings will be contingent on the court’s schedule. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Health is committed to collaborating with Keely Farms Dairy to enhance their sanitation measures while maintaining alerts about the potential dangers of raw dairy consumption.
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