Florida reports 21 cases of E.coli infections linked to raw milk
The state health department reported seven hospitalizations linked to the consumption of raw milk containing disease-causing bacteria from a particular farm in Northeast/Central Florida.
"Sanitation practices in this farm are of particular concern due to the number of cases," the health department said.
The Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Campylobacter infections can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps. In severe cases, they can cause kidney failure, which is of particular concern for children, the health department said.
In Florida, raw milk is sold only for non-human consumption as pet or animal food, which limits sanitary regulation efforts. Containers must be clearly labeled that the raw milk is for animal consumption only.
Federal health officials have warned against consuming raw milk due to the bird flu outbreak in the United States.
U.S. Health Secretary Kennedy has been a proponent of raw milk.
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The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
E. coli outbreak in Florida linked to raw milk
Public health officials are warning of an outbreak of Campylobacter and E. coli-related complications linked to the consumption of raw milk from a Florida farm. The raw milk outbreak has impacted 21 people, including six children under the age of 10, causing seven hospitalizations, according to the Florida Department of Health. Two people have faced 'severe complications,' the department added. 'Sanitation practices in this farm are of particular concern due to the number of cases,' the department said in an announcement on Monday, though it did not name the particular facility. The Independent has contacted the department for more information. Raw milk can only be sold for non-human consumption in the state though some skirt the rule and buy milk meant for pets or animal feeds for their personal use. Florida officials warned that poor 'sanitation practices' at a dairy farm in the state were raising concerns after raw milk from the facility was tied to 21 cases of health impacts (Getty) The Department of Agriculture has banned the sale of raw milk for human consumption across state lines since 1987 and federal public health officials warn that consuming the unpasteurized milk puts people at risk of exposure to germs including Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and Salmonella. The risk is especially high for children, the elderly, pregnant people, and those with compromised immune systems. 'Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption,' according to the CDC. 'Since the early 1900s, pasteurization has greatly reduced milk-borne illnesses.' 'While the perceived nutritional and health benefits of raw milk consumption have not been scientifically substantiated, the health risks are clear,' the FDA notes on its website. 'Since 1987, there have been 143 reported outbreaks of illness – some involving miscarriages, still births, kidney failure and deaths – associated with consumption of raw milk and raw milk products that were contaminated with pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli.' Last year, California regulators recalled batches of raw milk from a Fresno farm after bird flu was detected in samples. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drinks raw milk and has called for expanding access, despite warnings, including from federal health officials, that unpasteurized dairy can carry dangerous bacteria (REUTERS) Despite the scientific consensus on the risks of unpasteurized milks recent years have seen raw milk take on a countercultural status and become popular among some conservatives and independents. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he only drinks raw milk, and raw milk backers within his Make American Healthy Again push were initially encouraged as Kennedy put raw milk on a wish list of foods and health-related topics he hoped to tackle in office. Since taking office, Kennedy's FDA temporarily halted a quality control program for testing milk amid Trump administration staffing cuts at the health department, but the secretary hasn't delivered the kind of changes to federal milk regulation they were hoping. Mark McAfee of Raw Farm, a California dairy that counted Kennedy as a customer, has said he was initially encourage by Kennedy and his allies to assist federal officials with changing raw milk rules, but was later rebuffed when he sought a meeting with regulators. 'That's a bait and switch and that is really quite sad,' he told the Fresno Bee last month.
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Best bug sprays 2025, tried and tested
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5 Coffee Combos Pharmacists Say to Avoid
Experts are warning against taking five vitamin and mineral supplements with your morning coffee. Caffeinated foods and beverages have become staples in most modern-day diets, whether it be a midday pick-me-up or a boost of energy right before a workout. Two in three American adults drink some form of coffee every day, according to the National Coffee Association. And approximately 59 million Americans regularly consume some kind of vitamins or supplements. However, multiple pharmacists suggest not taking certain ones, including iron, calcium, magnesium and some vitamins, while sipping on a cup as it may reduce absorption in the body. Dr Philip Ngo, a pharmacist with over a decade of experience in community pharmacy, explained: 'For instance, iron absorption can be slowed by caffeine and caffeine can impact certain nutrients via its diuretic properties.' Caffeine and polyphenols found in coffee can act as diuretics, meaning they increase urine production. This can become a problem as water-soluble vitamins, which aren't stored in the body for long, can be flushed out through urine before they are fully absorbed. Additionally, the tannins in coffee can also bind themselves to certain mineral-based supplements, which can prevent proper absorption in the body. As a result, doctors recommend waiting at least an hour after drinking a cup of coffee to take supplements for better nutrient absorption. Below, details the five supplements you should avoid consuming with coffee: 1. Vitamin D Regularly taking a Vitamin D supplement can help improve bone health, muscles and immune health and studies have also shown that it can reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease . However, experts say that drinking caffeine can reduce the production of Vitamin D receptors cells. This can hinder the body's ability to absorb the vitamin from supplements and food. As of 2024, about 42 percent of American suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. Low Vitamin D can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones) as well as muscle pain and weakness. Dr Elise Kim, a New York-based pharmacist, told Eating Well : 'Research suggests that caffeine may reduce the expression of Vitamin D receptors, which can lower vitamin D levels.' While more research is needed to discover why coffee affects cell receptors, a 2021 International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research found initial links between high caffeine intake and low circulating levels of vitamin D in the blood. Dr Ngo suggests taking Vitamin D supplements with a meal that includes healthy fats to help improve absorption. 2. Calcium Similarly to Vitamin D supplements, calcium supplements also help improve bone, heart, brain and cell health, protecting against cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. But due to the diuretic effect of caffeine, drinking coffee can interfere with how the body absorbs calcium from supplements by increasing the amount of calcium the kidneys eliminate through urine. This can lower calcium absorption in the body as most of it would be removed from the body instead of being reabsorbed by the kidneys, as evidenced by a 2012 Nutrition study. Adding milk to your coffee may help offset calcium loss and spacing out calcium supplements two hours after your coffee help support better absorption, Dr Kim suggested. A low calcium level, also known as hypocalcemia, can lead to a variety of health problems including muscle cramps, numbness or tingling, fatigue and bone problems like osteoporosis. In severe cases, it can also lead to seizures, heart problems and even breathing difficulties. 3. Iron The primary use of iron supplements is to treat or prevent iron-deficiency anemia, a condition where the body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body due to insufficient iron. Additionally, it is also prescribed to reduce fatigue, improve hair health, increase athletic performance and boost immunity. Iron is also crucial for brain function and taking supplements can enhance concentration, memory, and overall cognitive performance in those with low iron. However, doctors claim that caffeine and tannins in coffee present in the body after drinking a cup can bind to iron in supplement capsules, making it harder for the body to absorb the mineral. A 2023 American Journal of Hematology study found taking iron supplements after drinking coffee reduced body absorption by 54 percent. Dr Bo Wang, an internal medicine physician at the US Department of Veteran Affairs, told Eating Well : 'Having coffee with an iron supplement or fortified cereal may make your body absorb less iron. 'Over time, a heavy caffeine habit could potentially impact bone and mineral health.' To ensure maximum absorption, Dr Wang advised taking supplements with vitamin C-rich foods, such as lemons and oranges rather than coffee. 4. Magnesium Magnesium is a necessary mineral the body requires for the proper growth and maintenance of bones, nerve and muscle function, blood sugar management, blood pressure regulation and sleep quality. Those suffering from migraine headaches, Type 2 diabetes, low bone density, cardiovascular disease and sleep problems are usually advised to take magnesium supplements. But similarly to calcium, Dr Kim explained: 'Caffeine can increase calcium and magnesium loss through urine.' Caffeine can negatively impact magnesium absorption by increasing its excretion through urine, potentially leading to lower magnesium levels. Additionally, coffee contains tannins and phytates, both compounds that can bind to minerals like magnesium and hinder its absorption in the digestive tract. 5. B Vitamins Water-soluble B vitamins including B1, B2, B7, B9 and B12 play crucial roles in various bodily functions and are often taken as supplements to address deficiencies or support overall health. All of these vitamins are also essential for energy production, nerve function, cell growth, and red blood cell formation. However, the diuretic effects of caffeine can potentially cause problems with absorption of certain B vitamins as it can flush out the vitamin from the body through urine.
