Facing Hunger Foodbank will have drive-thru food distribution on Friday
Members of Facing Hunger Foodbank and volunteers will distribute food beginning at 11 a.m and will continue until noonor until the product is gone.
Facing Hunger looks to serve over 150 households, on a first come, first served basis. 19% of Lawrence County's population lives with food insecurity, including 24% of the county's children.
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Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Mom Launches Raw Milk Lawsuit After Losing Unborn Son
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Florida mother has filed a lawsuit against a dairy farm, alleging that raw milk sold at a market caused severe illness in her toddler and led to the loss of her 20-week pregnancy. The complaint, filed August 13 in Seminole County Circuit Court, names Keely Farms Dairy, LLC, and Nature's Natural Foods, LLC, which operates Wild Hare Natural Market, as defendants. Plaintiff Rachel Maddox is suing both individually and on behalf of her minor child, who has required repeated hospitalization since consuming the milk. An attorney representing Maddox told Newsweek that the labeling did not warn consumers about the "extreme dangers" of the products. Keely Farms Dairy, based in New Smyrna Beach, declined to comment beyond a published statement. Wild Hare Natural Market, in Longwood, has not issued a response. Why It Matters Raw milk is a national flashpoint. The CDC and FDA warn it can carry pathogens and stress pasteurization as a key safeguard. Supporters cite taste and possible health benefits. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo in an August 12 post on X wrote that Floridians "have the freedom to make informed health choices" but should "know the risks." U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has voiced support for expanding dairy's role in dietary guidelines and has expressed openness to raw milk's benefits, though interstate sales remain prohibited. Florida law prohibits the sale of raw milk for human consumption, but the product remains available in retail outlets under "animal feed" labeling. With the state health department linking more than 20 illnesses to the dairy's products, the lawsuit raises questions about whether current laws and labeling practices adequately protect families from the risks of unpasteurized milk. Keely Farms Dairy Raw Milk showing labeling that states: 'Feed for Calves - Not for Human Consumption' Keely Farms Dairy Raw Milk showing labeling that states: 'Feed for Calves - Not for Human Consumption' Ron Simon & Associates | Food Poisoning Lawyers What To Know Plaintiff's Allegations According to the complaint, Maddox purchased raw milk in June from Wild Hare Natural Market. The milk was labeled "for consumption by animals," which Maddox said she was told was a technical requirement for selling "farm milk." On June 8, 2025, her toddler developed diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and dehydration. He was hospitalized from June 9 to June 12, underwent surgery for intussusception—a condition in which part of the intestine slides into another—and tested positive for E. coli and Campylobacter. His treatment is ongoing. Maddox herself tested positive for Campylobacter after caring for her child, telling WKMG News 6: "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." By June 18, she miscarried and was diagnosed with sepsis. She was hospitalized repeatedly in subsequent weeks. Her attorneys argue that labeling on Keely Farms products did not adequately warn consumers. "The labeling on Keely Farms' raw milk products is wholly insufficient to warn a buyer of the extreme dangers of consuming these products," Ron Simon, a food safety attorney representing the plaintiffs, told Newsweek in an August 19 email. Simon added that the labels fail to disclose the products are unpasteurized, do not explain why they are marketed as "Feed for calves – not for human consumption," and were displayed alongside groceries intended for people. "Any reasonable consumer would naturally assume that the Keely Farms products—like the others in the freezer— were safe to consume," he said. Health Department Findings The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has linked at least 21 illnesses since January 2025 to raw milk from Keely Farms Dairy. Six cases involved children under 10, seven required hospitalization, and two developed severe complications. In an advisory, FDOH said sanitation practices at the dairy were "of concern" and urged Floridians to be aware of the risks of consuming raw dairy. The commissioner of agriculture also encouraged residents to choose pasteurized products. Products marketed by Keely Farms Dairy, including Raw Milk, Greek Yogurt and Raw Kefir, all labeled 'Feed for Calves - Not for Human Consumption" Products marketed by Keely Farms Dairy, including Raw Milk, Greek Yogurt and Raw Kefir, all labeled 'Feed for Calves - Not for Human Consumption" Ron Simon & Associates | Food Poisoning Lawyers Legal Framework Florida law bans the retail sale of raw milk for human consumption. Section 502.091 of the Florida Statutes permits only pasteurized milk and certain aged cheeses to be sold for drinking. Raw milk products may be sold if labeled for animal feed. Keely Farms acknowledges this requirement on its website: "As required by the Federal Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and Florida Statute 502.091, which forbid the sale of unpasteurized milk products for human consumption, our products are labeled: 'Not for Human Consumption' and sold as 'Feed for Calves.'" The complaint argues that such labeling was inadequate, saying: "Any reasonable consumer would naturally assume that the Keely Farms products—like the others in the freezer—were safe to consume." What People Are Saying Ron Simon, attorney for Rachel Maddox said in an email to Newsweek, August 18, 2025: "My client is seeking compensation for her medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for her illness, her son's illness, and the loss of her unborn child. But most importantly, she filed this lawsuit so that we could determine exactly HOW the products became so contaminated, in order to fix the problems so that this never happens to anyone else again." Alexia Kulwiec, executive director of Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, in a statement on August 15: "The Florida Department of Health's actions are unusual, confusing, and frankly troubling. "Here at FTCLDF, we have experience with many local departments of health. If the Department had evidence that Keely Farms Dairy sold contaminated raw milk for livestock feed, it would be taking serious action against the farm." What Happens Next The lawsuit seeks damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, including claims related to the loss of Maddox's pregnancy. Attorneys emphasize that the case also aims to clarify how the contamination occurred. No trial date has been set, and further proceedings will depend on the court's scheduling. The Florida Department of Health has stated it will continue working with Keely Farms Dairy to improve sanitation practices while maintaining its advisory that Floridians should be aware of the risks of consuming raw dairy products.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
New research uncovers surprising connection between air pollution and major illness: 'The findings here showed a positive association'
New research uncovers surprising connection between air pollution and major illness: 'The findings here showed a positive association' The air quality and physical health benefits of decreasing pollution have been known for decades. But scientists are now finding even more positive effects from declining pollution rates, specifically as it pertains to one major issue— dementia. A recent international study published in Scientific Reports investigated whether greenness influences the association between particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) and ozone, and whether this relationship affects the disease tree that includes Alzheimer's and additional forms of dementia. Spoiler alert: the results were very positive. "The findings here showed a positive association between annual average concentrations of PM2.5 and ozone exposure and the incidence, deaths, and DALYs of AD and other dementias," read the conclusion of the study's write-up, published on "A greener environment could mitigate this association, particularly at moderate-to-high greenness levels. Therefore, increasing green space worldwide would positively impact health, although the protective effects of greenness may not increase linearly at the highest levels of vegetation." Pollution negatively impacting things like air quality and human respiratory health is kind of self-evident and wasn't ever surprising. But finding conclusive evidence of its effect on long-term neurodegenerative diseases is noteworthy and may potentially even provide a window into combating that famously hard-to-understand kind of illness. The stakes of this finding couldn't be much higher. An American Lung Association analysis found that as many as one in three people in the U.S. is breathing unhealthy air, while the World Health Organization contends that nine out of 10 people globally breathe polluted air. Meanwhile, in 2021, 57 million people had dementia worldwide, over 60% of whom live in low-and middle-income countries, and nearly 10 million new cases are diagnosed every year, per the WHO. The United States government is arguably regressing in its efforts to combat pollution these days, but many other countries around the globe are rising to the challenge, slowly but surely reducing carbon pollution in the last few decades. The effects of such reductions will likely not be readily apparent for a long time, given that industrialization has coated the atmosphere in poisonous chemicals for over a century at this point. But any progress is good progress, and the bigger (and quicker) a dent the world makes in cutting pollution, the more lives can be saved. Do you worry about the quality of the air inside your home? Yes — often Yes — but only sometimes Only when it's bad outside No — I never do Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Florida surgeon general says raw milk has health benefits. Experts say he's wrong
Florida law says it's illegal to sell raw milk for human consumption, but that's not stopping some of the state's top officials from supporting residents who want to drink it. Some have even made a complete 180, from promoting pasteurized milk to promoting consumer freedom within days. In an Aug. 12 post on X, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said Floridians "have the freedom to make informed health choices." 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 "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," Ladapo wrote. Illness from raw milk can cause diarrhea, stomach cramping and vomiting, and severe complications can lead to paralysis, kidney failure, stroke, or even death, federal authorities say. Interest in raw milk has been growing in recent years. In June 2024, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he "only drinks raw milk." Raw milk doesn't cure ailments, experts say Raw milk devotees say it tastes better and is healthier, but according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Medical Association, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, raw milk does not contain any extra beneficial bacteria and will not cure or treat asthma, allergies or lactose intolerance. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson agreed with Ladapo in a statement given to the USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida on Aug. 12: 'State Surgeon General Ladapo and I share the same position on raw milk. People should make informed decisions." To be sure, it's a reversal to what his agency was saying a week ago. In a press release on Aug. 6, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encouraged Floridians to drink "only" pasteurized milk. "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," the press release says. 'Florida's pasteurized milk supply is safe, nutritious, and closely controlled from the farm to your local grocery store,' Simpson said in the release. '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.' As previously reported earlier this month, 21 people got sick and seven were hospitalized for bacterial infections, including E. coli, from drinking raw milk from Keely Farms Dairy in New Smyrna Beach. Raw milk: OK as pet food in Florida Raw milk can be sold as pet food in Florida, but it must be clearly labeled "not for human consumption." the Keely Farms' webpage did not mention pets. Six of the infected people were children under age 10, the Florida Department of Health said. The cases were all in Central and Northeast Florida. According to the CDC, improperly handled raw milk is responsible for nearly three times more hospitalizations than any other food-borne disease source. And so far in 2025, there have been seven recalls or outbreaks from raw milk in the United States. More from the Palm Beach Post: Opinion | Floridians can make America healthy again by not drinking raw milk Ana Goñi-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network – Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@
