What We Know About the Keely Farms Dairy Raw Milk Outbreak
The Florida Department of Health linked 21 illnesses and 7 hospitalizations to raw milk from Keely Farms Dairy in New Smyrna Beach (Volusia County), Florida. Illnesses began January 24, 2025. The department warned about the cases on August 4, 2025 and named Keely Farms Dairy in an updated statement on August 7, 2025. The outbreak involved both Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), with six of the 21 cases in children under 10 years old.
The Florida “Pet Food” Exemption Loophole
Florida prohibits raw milk for human consumption but allows it to be sold under a labeling exemption that markets it as “pet food.” Keely Farms Dairy labeled its products “not for human consumption” and sold them under that exemption. Despite the labeling, the products were consumed by humans, including young children. Florida DOH linked 21 Campylobacter and E. coli STEC illnesses to consumers of the farm’s raw milk.
The Lawsuit and Its Allegations
On August 13, 2025, Ron Simon & Associates, with co-counsel Newsome Law of Orlando, filed the first raw milk lawsuit against Keely Farms Dairy in Seminole County. Ron Simon & Associates alleged that its client, a Florida mother, contracted Campylobacter while caring for her toddler after the child drank raw milk, then developed sepsis and lost her pregnancy at 20 weeks. She voluntarily dismissed the case on February 13, 2026, days after Keely Farms asked the court to dismiss it.
Why Raw Milk Outbreaks Are So Dangerous for Children
Pasteurization, the brief heat treatment of milk, kills the bacteria most commonly responsible for milk-borne illness: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli STEC. Raw milk bypasses that safety step. Children under 5 face the highest risk because their immune systems are still developing, they are at risk for HUS from STEC infection, and even mild cases of Campylobacter can lead to dehydration in young children.
The fact that this outbreak involved both Campylobacter and E. coli STEC infections is particularly alarming. STEC produces Shiga toxin, which can damage blood vessels and kidneys. HUS develops 5 to 10 days after diarrhea starts and can require dialysis, blood transfusions, and intensive care.
Your Legal Rights
If you or a family member consumed Keely Farms Dairy raw milk and developed Campylobacter, E. coli STEC, or HUS, your family may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, hospitalization costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. The fact that Keely sold the milk under a “pet food” exemption while it was being consumed by humans, including children, is relevant to claims for punitive damages.
Ron Simon & Associates is a food poisoning law firm that has recovered over $850 million for victims nationwide. Our Campylobacter lawyers and E. coli attorneys focus exclusively on foodborne illness litigation and are reviewing claims from this outbreak. You pay our law firm nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us for a free consultation at 1-888-335-4901.