Raw Milk Lawsuit | 2025 Latest Updates

What’s the Problem?

In August 2025, the Florida Department of Health reported an outbreak in which **21 individuals**, including **six children under age 10**, fell ill after consuming raw milk from a single, unnamed farm.

Infections involved **Shiga toxin–producing E. coli and Campylobacter**, with **seven hospitalizations** and at least **two cases experiencing severe complications** including kidney issues. The farm’s **sanitation practices** were flagged as concerning.

Raw milk continues to be sold in Florida by labeling it as “pet food,” bypassing regulations despite possessing obvious risks to human consumers. Although Florida law prohibits the sale of raw milk for human consumption, this loophole has led to outbreaks impacting vulnerable populations [1.]

Latest Raw Milk Lawsuit Updates

• Early August 2025 – Florida health officials confirm outbreak and begin epidemiological investigation.
• Mid‑August 2025 – At least two families report hospitalization of children with serious complications linked to kidney damage and HUS.
• August 20, 2025 – To date, this outbreak has sickened over 170 people across five states, including 120 children, with 70% of cases affecting those under 18 and 39% under 5, making it one of the largest raw milk-related outbreaks in over two decades [2.]. Fifty-five of 159 confirmed cases have been directly linked to consuming raw milk or heavy cream, prompting a statewide investigation by the California Department of Public Health.

Raw Milk Lawsuit Statistics

• Outbreak size: 21 confirmed illnesses, including young children.
• Hospitalizations: 7 confirmed, with 2 severe cases.
• Legal activity: No lawsuits filed yet, but early inquiries underway.
• Potential claims: Expect higher-value cases for pediatric injury, kidney failure, and long-term care.

Health Authority Reports & FDA Data

• Outbreak linked to consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk sold from a single Florida farm.
• Bacteria involved: Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC) and Campylobacter.
• Children represent a disproportionate share—six under age 10—consistent with raw milk cases historically.
• The CDC and FDA report raw milk is **hundreds of times more likely to cause foodborne illness** than pasteurized milk.

Raw Milk Injuries & Side Effects

Consuming unpasteurized milk can lead to serious medical conditions, particularly affecting infants and children:

• Severe diarrhea and dehydration—often bloody, requiring IV fluids.
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)—a form of kidney failure that may require dialysis, most common in young children.
• Reactive complications like arthritis or Guillain‑Barré syndrome, following an acute bacterial infection.

Do You Qualify for a Raw Milk Lawsuit?

• You consumed raw milk acquired in Florida within July–August 2025.
• You or your child developed medically confirmed E. coli or Campylobacter infection.
• Your illness required medical care, hospitalization, or follow-up due to complications like kidney infection or HUS.
• You have medical records, test results, or documentation of raw milk consumption.
• You have not yet filed a lawsuit and are seeking legal evaluation.

Evidence Required for a Raw Milk Lawsuit

• Medical records: diagnostics confirming STEC or Campylobacter infection.
• Treatment records: hospital stays, IV fluids, dialysis, follow-up care.
• Product evidence: invoices, receipts, labels or photos of raw milk containers.
• Timeline documentation: when milk was consumed and when symptoms emerged.

Damages You Can Recover

If you or your child was harmed by contaminated raw milk, recovery may include:

• Medical expenses—emergency care, hospitalization, dialysis, follow-up.
• Lost income—caregiver time for childcare during illness.
• Pain and suffering—for both physical and emotional trauma.
• Future medical care costs—if there are long-term complications.

Raw Milk Risk & Recall Information

• Sale of raw milk for human consumption is illegal in Florida, but farms often list it as pet food to evade regulation.
• The affected farm has not been publicly identified, but state officials have expressed concern over sanitation practices.
• No official recall has been issued because raw milk sale is technically prohibited; no FDA recall numbers are available.
• Health agencies strongly advise against raw milk consumption and highlight pasteurization as the safer alternative.

Statute of Limitations for Raw Milk Lawsuits

Time limits for filing personal injury cases vary by state, typically between **two to three years** from injury or discovery date. Since this outbreak occurred in **August 2025**, affected individuals and families should act quickly to preserve legal rights. Some states grant modified timeframes for pediatric cases—prompt legal consultation is crucial.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I file a lawsuit? Contact a reputable foodborne illness or product liability attorney to assess your case and file within your state’s filing deadline.
• Who qualifies? Anyone who consumed the affected raw milk and experienced confirmed infection or health complications.
• What damages can be recovered? Compensation may include medical bills, caregiver wages, emotional distress, and future care.
• Are class actions possible? Not yet, but multiple individual filings could lead to consolidated legal proceedings.
• What should I keep? Preserve all medical documentation, evidence of raw milk purchase, and details of symptom onset.
• What if symptoms appear later? Seek medical advice immediately and document it—delayed reporting may still support a claim.
• Can I sue if I didn’t get sick? Generally no; claims typically require documented illness. However, consult a lawyer if emotional or financial harm occurred.

References

1. https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/05/health/raw-milk-florida-outbreak
2. https://www.healio.com/news/infectious-disease/20250819/large-raw-milk-outbreak-mostly-sickened-kids