Following a recent update from the Florida Department of Health on reported illnesses linked to the consumption of raw milk from a Florida dairy, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are encouraging Floridians to protect their health by only consuming pasteurized milk products.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Following a recent update from the Florida Department of Health on reported illnesses linked to the consumption of raw milk from a Florida dairy, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are encouraging Floridians to protect their health by only consuming pasteurized milk products.

“Florida’s pasteurized milk supply is safe, nutritious, and closely controlled from the farm to your local grocery store,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “There have been no reported illnesses from pasteurized milk products in Florida, so Floridians should continue to buy and enjoy nutritious and wholesome dairy products from Florida farmers.”

Milk and milk products have a wide array of nutritional benefits, but raw, unpasteurized milk can contain dangerous germs and pathogens that pose serious health risks to humans. Pasteurized dairy products are subject to rigorous safety standards that are strictly enforced by state and federal regulatory agencies. Products that undergo pasteurization are regularly inspected, tested, and held to enforceable public health regulations to ensure consumer safety.

“Pasteurization is a process that has been utilized to kill harmful pathogens in food for nearly 150 years and is the most common method utilized today to eliminate potentially harmful pathogens in milk products,” said Dr. Matt Curran, Director of FDACS’ Division of Food Safety. “Raw milk can contain dangerous pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and others that can cause serious illness, especially in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.”

Pasteurization is a widely used process where milk is heated to a specific temperature for a set time to kill harmful germs and pathogens. Raw milk and raw milk products are not pasteurized and, therefore, are at high risk for contamination. Raw milk and raw milk products are not approved for human consumption in Florida and can only be sold with a label clearly stating that the raw milk is not for human consumption.  

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recommend that consumers avoid raw milk and dairy products made from raw milk.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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