Rachel Maddox from Florida attributes her miscarriage to consuming raw milk obtained from a nearby dairy farm.
According to a report by News 6, Rachel, a mother living in Seminole County, encountered a serious bacterial infection while she was 20 weeks pregnant. This followed her toddler’s experience of abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, and dehydration, leading to a 10-day hospital stay.
The young child had consumed raw, unpasteurized milk from Keely Farms Dairy purchased at Wild Hare Natural Market, which was labeled as intended for animal consumption only.
Rachel indirectly suffered from this situation as she cared for her sick child. Consequently, she fell ill and suffered a miscarriage, prompting a lawsuit alleging the milk contained E. coli and Campylobacter.
“I contracted the bacteria from cleaning up the diarrhoea and vomiting,” she explained to WKMG. “As a mom, you get a lot of stuff on you when your kid is sick, and I became ill by contracting the bacteria that way.
“I became very ill and I mean the sickest I’ve ever been in my life. I came really close to dying and our [unborn] son did die. The doctors told me that I was lucky to be alive.”
Rachel’s symptoms were similar to her son’s, but her hospital stay was nearly twice as long due to sepsis.
The Florida Department of Health has linked 21 E. coli and Campylobacter cases to Keely Farms Dairy milk since January, with seven of those cases requiring hospitalization.
Tests reportedly showed that Rachel and her son were positive for a Campylobacter strain previously associated with the milk product.
She mentioned that when she purchased the milk in June, she queried the store about the labeling, which she noted said something akin to ‘for consumption by animals.’ She was allegedly told this was a legal technicality for selling it in Florida.
As a result, Wild Hare Natural Market is also mentioned in the lawsuit.
Rachel shared with News 6 that her family had been consuming the milk without prior health issues.
Now, she seeks compensation for the emotional and physical trauma she has endured.
“Those who produce and sell raw milk and other unpasteurized dairy products know the extreme risk of bacterial infection to those who consume it, and have a duty to follow strict sanitary guidelines to prevent contamination,” stated lawyer Ron Simon.
“They also have a duty to fully warn their customers of the inherent risks of consuming raw milk. Keely Farms Dairy met neither of these requirements, and this outbreak is the result.”
In Florida, the sale of unpasteurized and raw milk for human consumption is prohibited, though individuals are not restricted from drinking it.
Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the Florida surgeon general, expressed on social media: “Floridians have the freedom to make informed health choices. I support the decision to consume raw milk when sought for potential health benefits and protective factors. Be aware of your source and know the risks.”
Keely Farm Dairy and Wild Hare Natural Market have been contacted for their comments.