Latest news with #RachelMaddox
CBS News
a day ago
- Health
- CBS News
Mother sues Florida dairy farm, claiming she lost fetus and almost died after drinking infected raw milk
A Florida dairy farm was named in a lawsuit filed by a woman who claims she lost her fetus after getting sick while caring for her toddler, who also got sick after drinking raw milk. According to WKMG, the CBS affiliate in Orlando, Rachel Maddox is suing Keely Farms Dairy, a New Smyrna Beach dairy farm, which state health officials have tied to at least 21 cases of E. coli and Campylobacter bacteria sickness from raw milk consumption. Six of the 21 patients were children under the age of 10, seven were hospitalized and at least two cases have resulted in severe complications, according to the state-issued warning. Maddox's filing demands a jury trial on compensatory damages for permanent physical and mental injuries incurred "as a direct and proximate result of Defendants' conduct," the lawsuit states. The lawsuit, which also names the market where Maddox allegedly bought the milk, was filed Wednesday in Seminole County and claims that Keely Farms shipped milk that contained the bacteria, WKMG reported. "I became very ill and I mean the sickest I've ever been in my life," Maddox told WKMG. "I came really close to dying and our [unborn] son did die. The doctors told me that I was lucky to be alive." According to the lawsuit, Maddox was allegedly unaware of any potential dangers while purchasing the milk in June from an organix, natural food store. When she asked about the packaging's label that "said something to the effect [of] 'for consumption by animals,'" she was allegedly told "that was a technical requirement to sell 'farm milk,'" the lawsuit claims. Maddox told WKMG she had bought the raw milk on and off for months, and while she never drank it, her toddler and other family members had before without any issues. It wasn't until Maddox's toddler drank the milk on June 8 and soon experienced "diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, chills, and resultant dehydration," prompting Maddox to take the child to a hospital the next day in what the lawsuit calls "the first of what would be three emergency room visits and hospitalizations in the next several weeks," WKMG reported. About five days later, Maddox sought medical treatment for "ongoing diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and chills that led to septic shock and severe dehydration," the lawsuit stated. According to the lawsuit, tests returned positive for Campylobacter, which she was told was contracted while caring for her toddler. "I contracted the bacteria from cleaning up the diarrhea and vomiting," Maddox told 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." According to the lawsuit, Maddox's 20-week-old fetus died on June 18 and she was readmitted to the hospital with sepsis, going on to leave and return to hospitals multiple times in the coming days for ongoing medical treatment. Maddox has hired Ron Simon & Associates, which describes itself as a national food poisoning law firm, as well as Newsome Law, WKMG reported. WKMG reached out to Keely Farms Dairy last week for a response, but its representatives did not want to comment beyond stating that their milk is not made for human consumption. When WKMG visited Keely Farms' Facebook page earlier, a description allegedly stated in part that "Raw milk is sold 'Not for human consumption' and as 'animal feed.'" A post made on the page on Wednesday also included images depicting what Keely Farms allegedly described as "Last week's milk test results from 2 labs." That post has since been deleted when CBS News Miami visited the page on Sunday. In an X post shared Tuesday by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, he said that "Floridians have the freedom to make informed health choices," while sharing links to the state's warnings. "I support the decision to consume raw milk when sought for potential health benefits and protective factors," he said. "Be aware of your source and know the risks." Although it is illegal to sell raw milk for human consumption in Florida, it can be sold in the state if it's labeled as a pet food. Raw milk has been promoted by online wellness influencers and raw food advocates, boosting sales in recent years, but public health officials say it can be risky. The Florida Department of Health noted in its statement that "many people consume raw milk safely." But it also advised, "Floridians should be aware of potential risks associated with consumption, which may vary depending on the source of milk. The producer's handling of raw milk and milking procedures are vital in prevention of contamination." The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say raw milk can carry life-threatening bacteria, such as E. coli, campylobacter, listeria or salmonella. These can cause symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Severe cases can result in a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, which can lead to kidney failure. Since 1987, 143 outbreaks have been linked to raw milk or raw milk products, some involving miscarriages, stillbirths, kidney failure and even deaths, according to the FDA. Pasteurization — a process of heating the milk — kills these bacteria. Pasteurization is required by federal law for any milk sold across state lines. Some individual states also restrict or ban the sale of raw milk, but others allow it. In an interview with CBS News Miami earlier this year, Mark McAfee, founder of one of the world's largest raw milk producers and head of an advocacy group called the Raw Milk Institute, claimed raw milk offers health benefits such as bioactives that boost the immune system. McAfee sells his raw milk legally in California, where no state law prohibits its sale. But the CDC says such claims are unfounded. "Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption," the agency Gonzalez contributed to this report.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida mom ‘lucky to be alive' after miscarrying due to raw milk consumption, she says in lawsuit
A woman is suing a Florida dairy farm after alleging that coming into contact with bacteria from its raw, unpasteurized milk caused her to suffer a miscarriage. Rachel Maddox filed a lawsuit in Seminole County on Wednesday against Keely Farms Dairy of New Smyrna Beach, the same business that was last week tied to at least 21 cases of E. coli and Campylobacter bacteria sickness by state health officials, according to Orlando's News 6. Of the 21 people taken ill, six were children under 10 and seven were hospitalized, at least two of whom have suffered severe complications, the officials say. 'I became very ill and I mean the sickest I've ever been in my life,' Maddox told News 6. 'I came really close to dying and our [unborn] son did die. The doctors told me that I was lucky to be alive.' Her lawsuit also names the organic food store at which she bought the raw milk in June. Maddox claims she was unaware of the potential dangers associated with drinking the milk and was allegedly told, when she asked a clerk about a label that 'said something to the effect [of] 'for consumption by animals,'' that it was only 'a technical requirement to sell 'farm milk.'' She told News 6 that she had bought the product on several occasions for other family members, including her toddler, in recent months, but never drank it herself. Then, on June 8, her child fell ill and suffered 'diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, chills, and resultant dehydration,' resulting in the first of three hospital visits that month. On June 13, the pregnant Maddox became sick herself and, in turn, sought medical treatment for 'ongoing diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and chills that led to septic shock and severe dehydration,' according to the lawsuit. Tests duly revealed that she had contracted Campylobacter, a bacterium she believes she came into contact with while caring for her child. 'I contracted the bacteria from cleaning up the diarrhea and vomiting,' Maddox said. '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.' On June 18, her 20-week-old foetus died, and she was readmitted to hospital with sepsis, the beginning of a long and challenging recovery period. She is now seeking a jury trial and damages for the mental and physical injuries she has incurred, the lawsuit states. Keely Farms has so far declined to comment beyond saying that its milk is sold as animal feed and is not intended for human consumption. However, it has posted positive laboratory testing for its produce on Facebook and written in a subsequent post: 'The Florida Department of Agriculture inspects AND approves all raw milk labels. They mandate what the labels say on them. You cannot make changes to your label without approval. They come check to make sure you are actually using the approved label. 'Some basics that are required on your state approved label include the statement 'Not for Human Consumption,' what animal it should be fed to, your farm name and complete address, nutritional info if animal feed... 'You cannot display raw milk as if for human consumption. (It cannot be next to pasteurized milk etc). You must have warnings and signage. The department does 'market checks' to be sure their rules are being followed.' The Independent has reached out to Keely Farms for additional comment.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Florida mom ‘lucky to be alive' after miscarrying due to raw milk consumption, she says in lawsuit
A woman is suing a Florida dairy farm after alleging that coming into contact with bacteria from its raw, unpasteurized milk caused her to suffer a miscarriage. Rachel Maddox filed a lawsuit in Seminole County on Wednesday against Keely Farms Dairy of New Smyrna Beach, the same business that was last week tied to at least 21 cases of E. coli and Campylobacter bacteria sickness by state health officials, according to Orlando's News 6. Of the 21 people taken ill, six were children under 10 and seven were hospitalized, at least two of whom have suffered severe complications, the officials say. 'I became very ill and I mean the sickest I've ever been in my life,' Maddox told News 6. 'I came really close to dying and our [unborn] son did die. The doctors told me that I was lucky to be alive.' Her lawsuit also names the organic food store at which she bought the raw milk in June. Maddox claims she was unaware of the potential dangers associated with drinking the milk and was allegedly told, when she asked a clerk about a label that 'said something to the effect [of] 'for consumption by animals,'' that it was only 'a technical requirement to sell 'farm milk.'' She told News 6 that she had bought the product on several occasions for other family members, including her toddler, in recent months, but never drank it herself. Then, on June 8, her child fell ill and suffered 'diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, chills, and resultant dehydration,' resulting in the first of three hospital visits that month. On June 13, the pregnant Maddox became sick herself and, in turn, sought medical treatment for 'ongoing diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and chills that led to septic shock and severe dehydration,' according to the lawsuit. Tests duly revealed that she had contracted Campylobacter, a bacterium she believes she came into contact with while caring for her child. 'I contracted the bacteria from cleaning up the diarrhea and vomiting,' Maddox said. '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.' On June 18, her 20-week-old foetus died, and she was readmitted to hospital with sepsis, the beginning of a long and challenging recovery period. She is now seeking a jury trial and damages for the mental and physical injuries she has incurred, the lawsuit states. Keely Farms has so far declined to comment beyond saying that its milk is sold as animal feed and is not intended for human consumption. However, it has posted positive laboratory testing for its produce on Facebook and written in a subsequent post: 'The Florida Department of Agriculture inspects AND approves all raw milk labels. They mandate what the labels say on them. You cannot make changes to your label without approval. They come check to make sure you are actually using the approved label. 'Some basics that are required on your state approved label include the statement 'Not for Human Consumption,' what animal it should be fed to, your farm name and complete address, nutritional info if animal feed... 'You cannot display raw milk as if for human consumption. (It cannot be next to pasteurized milk etc). You must have warnings and signage. The department does 'market checks' to be sure their rules are being followed.'
