Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said this week that he "supports the decision to consume raw milk when sought for potential health benefits," asserting that Floridians should be free to make their own dietary choices. His statement, posted on social media, contrasts with long-standing federal guidance that recommends pasteurization to eliminate harmful bacteria in dairy products. Ladapo’s remarks came one week after state health officials warned that 21 people—six of them children—were infected after drinking raw milk produced at Keely Farms Dairy in New Smyrna Beach. Seven patients required hospitalization, and at least two suffered serious complications. Tests detected Campylobacter and shiga toxin-producing E. coli, pathogens capable of causing kidney failure and other life-threatening conditions. Under Florida law, raw or unpasteurized milk can be sold only for animal consumption, which limits state oversight of sanitation at dairies. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services responded to the outbreak by urging residents to drink only pasteurized milk, calling pasteurization a 150-year-old, proven safety measure. The divergent messages from the state’s top health and agriculture officials have intensified debate over whether Florida should tighten or relax restrictions on raw milk sales.