In the heart of Florida, a heated debate over food safety and personal choice has erupted after a Seminole County mother, Rachel Maddox, filed a lawsuit against Keely Farms Dairy and Wild Hare Natural Market. Maddox alleges that raw milk purchased from the farm sickened her toddler and led to the tragic loss of her unborn child. This case, filed on August 14, 2025, in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, has become a lightning rod for questions about state regulations, public health, and the responsibilities of both producers and consumers.
The events began in early June when Maddox, nearly 20 weeks pregnant, bought unpasteurized milk from Keely Farms Dairy. According to NBC and WKMG News 6, Maddox had previously been reassured by salespeople that the label warning—"not for human consumption"—was just a technicality required by Florida law. The law indeed allows raw milk to be sold only for animal consumption, but does not explicitly prohibit people from drinking it if they choose. Maddox told WKMG, “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.”
Maddox’s troubles began after she served the raw milk to her husband and toddler, L.U., on June 8. L.U. almost immediately started showing symptoms—vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, chills, dehydration, and fever. The toddler was hospitalized from June 9 to June 12 for severe gastroenteritis, and would be in and out of the hospital in the following weeks. Court records and a statement from Ron Simon & Associates, the law firm representing Maddox, detail that her son underwent surgery for intussusception, a dangerous bowel blockage, and was treated for possible hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening complication of E. coli. “L.U.’s medical treatment continues to this day,” the lawsuit states.
While caring for her sick child, Maddox herself became gravely ill, contracting the bacteria through contact with her son’s bodily fluids. She was hospitalized on June 13 with severe dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea. Five days later, Maddox lost her 20-week-old fetus and was diagnosed with sepsis. As she 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.”
The lawsuit comes amid a broader outbreak. According to the Florida Department of Health, raw milk from Keely Farms has been linked to at least 21 cases of E. coli and Campylobacter infections since January 2025, including six children under 10 and seven hospitalizations. The department’s August 4 release highlighted sanitation concerns at the dairy and warned that infants, children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. “Sanitation practices in this farm are of concern due to the number of cases,” the DOH said.
In response to the outbreak, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services urged residents to avoid raw milk altogether. "Florida’s pasteurized milk supply is safe, nutritious, and closely controlled. There have been no reported illnesses from pasteurized milk products in Florida," Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration also maintain that pasteurization eliminates harmful bacteria without affecting the nutritional value of milk. As the CDC notes, “Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption.”
Yet, not everyone is convinced by the warnings. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo voiced a different perspective on X (formerly Twitter): “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 risks.” This attitude reflects a broader national debate, as some public figures and social media influencers have promoted raw milk as a healthier alternative, despite the scientific consensus on its risks.
Keely Farms Dairy, for its part, has denied any wrongdoing. The farm asserts that its products are clearly labeled as animal feed and that no state health officials have visited the property or tested its milk. In a Facebook post, the dairy stated, “Raw milk is sold ‘Not for human consumption’ and as ‘animal feed.’ The Department of Health has not been to the farm or taken any samples here. The Department of Health has not indicated to Keely Farms that it committed any wrongdoing, so its press release has blindsided us.”
Feeling besieged by negative media attention and state scrutiny, Keely Farms has turned to its community for support. A GoFundMe campaign launched by farm owner Keely Exum has raised more than $13,000 as of mid-August. Exum described the farm as a woman-owned business with a long history of community involvement—employing veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities, and providing sanctuary for rescued animals. “We just milk our cows, provide livestock feed, and serve as upstanding members of our community. But we are being attacked by the news media after being ‘linked’ by the Florida Department of Health to an ‘outbreak’ of two different bacteria spanning 8 months’ time without any notification of an investigation or proof of an issue,” Exum wrote on the campaign page.
The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, which advocates for small producers, has also criticized the state’s response. Executive Director Alexia Kulwiec said, “The Florida Department of Health’s actions are unusual, confusing, and frankly troubling. 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.” The group argues that the farm is cooperating with authorities and that there has been no formal investigation or product testing.
Meanwhile, Ron Simon & Associates, the law firm representing Maddox, has highlighted the broader implications. “This is about accountability,” the firm said in a statement. “Families deserve to know the risks when products being sold in stores have the potential to cause this level of harm.” The firm, which specializes in foodborne illness litigation, notes that Maddox’s suit is the first of its kind in connection with the outbreak but that they are accepting additional cases.
As the case moves forward, it underscores a gulf between those who see raw milk as a personal freedom and those who view it as a public health hazard. The tragic losses suffered by Maddox and her family have reignited calls for clearer labeling, stricter regulation, and greater public awareness. Yet, for many in Florida and beyond, the debate is far from settled. For now, the only certainty is that the consequences—legal, medical, and personal—are all too real.
