Greater than 20 individuals have been sickened with Campylobacter and E. coli infections within the state of Florida, together with six kids, after consuming uncooked milk, the Florida Division of Well being mentioned.

Based on a press launch from the division, there have been seven hospitalizations and a complete of 21 circumstances linked to uncooked milk produced by a farm in Northeast/Central Florida. The identify of the particular farm was not disclosed.

“Uncooked milk is milk from cows, sheep, goats, or different animals that has not been pasteurized, a heat-treating course of that destroys probably dangerous micro organism,” the discharge particulars. “Floridians ought to concentrate on potential dangers related to consumption, which can differ relying on the supply of milk.

“The producer’s dealing with of uncooked milk and milking procedures is significant within the prevention of contamination. Many individuals devour uncooked milk safely. Nonetheless, uncooked milk can include disease-causing micro organism, similar to Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, Salmonella, and others.” 

The discharge moreover famous that these micro organism could cause “gastrointestinal sickness, together with diarrhea, vomiting, and abdomen cramps.” 

Whereas the division famous that many individuals handle to “safely” devour uncooked milk, Florida regulation dictates that they should not be ingesting it in any respect. As the discharge factors out, throughout the state, “uncooked milk can solely be offered for non-human consumption as pet or animal meals.” 

For now, the chance of contracting sickness from this batch of uncooked milk is contained to Florida, as pasteurization is legally required for milk that’s crossing state strains. 

Whereas uncooked milk is usually touted by wellness influencers as a superior product — typically credited for well being advantages or improved taste — in actuality, there may be solely a marginal dietary distinction between the 2 choices at greatest.

Keith Harris, a professor and co-director of undergraduate packages in meals science at NC State College, says merchandise like uncooked milk include a “well being halo” impact. “Sure issues are considered as naturally good, and issues that mainly are as shut as attainable to the uncooked state are sometimes considered that manner,” Harris shared in a January report on the NC State web site.

“So if it comes straight off a farm, straight out of a subject, [or] straight out of a cow, then it have to be wholesome. The thought is that in case you are coping with one thing that’s pure and unprocessed, not heated, it’ll be more healthy simply because it is nearer to the way in which that it seems in nature. That is not all the time right from a security perspective.”

Want proof? One examine from the journal Rising Infectious Ailments discovered that unpasteurized dairy merchandise trigger 840 occasions extra diseases and 45 occasions extra hospitalizations than pasteurized merchandise. 

Nonetheless, for die-hard uncooked milk followers, there could also be one ray of hope. As Meals & Wine reported in July, California-based firm Tamarack Biotics has obtained approval from the FDA for its UV gentle know-how that is able to concentrating on micro organism in uncooked milk whereas preserving the qualities that the beverage’s devotees are searching for.

Often known as TruActive, the know-how “eliminates dangerous pathogens whereas preserving the enzymes, proteins, and immunity-supporting compounds which might be typically destroyed by conventional heat-based pasteurization,” the corporate shared in a assertion. “The result’s a scientifically verified, protected, uncooked milk equal — a primary within the dairy trade and an thrilling improvement for the rising public demand for uncooked and minimally processed meals.”

For now, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention notes that selecting pasteurized milk and dairy merchandise is “one of the simplest ways to soundly benefit from the dietary advantages of milk.”