Florida Commissioner Urges Support for Florida Dairy Farmers, Highlights Safety of Pasteurized Milk
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is urging residents to choose pasteurized milk products from Florida Dairy Farmers, following a recent health update from the Florida Department of Health regarding illnesses linked to raw milk. As concerns rise over raw milk safety, Commissioner Simpson emphasized the importance of consuming locally sourced, regulated dairy products.
“Florida’s pasteurized milk supply is safe, nutritious, and closely controlled from the farm to your local grocery store. There have been no reported illnesses from pasteurized milk products in Florida, so Floridians should continue to buy and enjoy nutritious and wholesome dairy products from Florida farmers,” Simpson stated.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) reinforced this message, noting the nutritional benefits of milk and milk products, while also highlighting the serious health risks of consuming raw, unpasteurized milk. According to FDACS, “Milk and milk products have a wide array of nutritional benefits, but raw, unpasteurized milk can contain dangerous germs and pathogens that pose serious health risks to humans.”
Pasteurized dairy products are held to strict safety standards enforced by both state and federal agencies. These products undergo rigorous inspection, testing, and regulatory oversight to protect public health.
Dr. Matt Curran, Director of FDACS’ Division of Food Safety, added, “Pasteurization is a process that has been utilized to kill harmful pathogens in food for nearly 150 years and is the most common method utilized today to eliminate potentially harmful pathogens in milk products. Raw milk can contain dangerous pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and others that can cause serious illness, especially in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.”
In Florida, raw milk and raw milk products are not approved for human consumption. These products are legally sold only for animal or pet food and must be clearly labeled as such.
Consumers are encouraged to continue supporting Florida Dairy Farmers, knowing that pasteurized milk from local sources meets the highest safety and nutritional standards. Choosing pasteurized milk helps protect families while supporting Florida’s agriculture economy.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.