E.coli outbreak linked to controversial drink that's illegal for humans to consume in some places
Dozens of people have been hospitalised after a drinking a popular local product - and it's raising major questions about what’s really safe to consume.
Health officials in Florida have confirmed that at least 34 people have fallen seriously ill, with 25 testing positive for E. coli and 10 for Campylobacter. So far, eight people have ended up in hospital - and all signs point to the same everyday item that’s often hyped for being “natural” and “healthier”.
The product in question? Milk. But not just any milk.
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The Florida Department of Health confirmed that the same strain of bacteria found in patients was also detected in unopened bottles collected from a local clinic. That’s right - unopened - which suggests the contamination didn’t come from poor storage or dodgy handling after purchase, but from the source itself.
The culprit turned out to be raw milk - aka milk that hasn’t been pasteurised to kill harmful bacteria.
It’s still legal to sell in Florida (with a pet food label workaround), and some people swear by it for its supposedly better taste or higher nutrient content. But according to medical experts and public health officials, it’s also a perfect storm for serious illness.
The strain of E. coli involved - O157:H7 - is no joke. It’s known for causing intense abdominal cramps, diarrhoea (often bloody), fever, and vomiting.
In some cases, it can even lead to a life-threatening complication called haemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure.
"Due to continued recent cases of Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections linked to a particular farm, the Florida Department of Health is providing information to assist Floridians in making informed decisions about their health," a release from the Florida Department of Health said.
It added: "Sanitation practices in this farm are of particular concern due to the number of cases. There have been 21 cases, including six children under the age of 10, and seven hospitalisations linked to consumption of raw milk from the same farm. Severe complications have been reported for at least two cases."
Campylobacter, the other bug found in the outbreak, isn’t much friendlier - it causes very similar symptoms and often leads to days of brutal stomach pain and sickness.
Luckily, there haven’t been any deaths or lasting health complications reported so far. But health officials are using this outbreak as a clear warning.
To be super clear: this doesn’t affect the milk you buy at the supermarket - that stuff is pasteurised and totally safe. But if you’ve been tempted to try raw milk because it sounds cool or “old-school,” this might be your sign to give it a miss.
Because while trends come and go, food poisoning absolutely doesn’t need a comeback.
Lara Owen