Big Olaf Creamery in Sarasota, Florida is recalling all flavors and lots of Big Olaf brand ice cream products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Based on epidemiological information shared by the CDC and state officials, Big Olaf could be a potential source of illness in an ongoing Listeria monocytogenes outbreak.
The CDC has reported 23 illnesses in 10 states and one person has died. Five pregnant women were declared ill, one of whom had a miscarriage.
Sick people live in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
“Of the 18 people interviewed, all said they had eaten ice cream. Of the 18 people who recalled details about the type of ice cream they ate, 10 said they ate Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream or ate ice cream from places that might have been provided by Big Olaf Creamery. Twelve ill people reside in Florida and nine said they had traveled to Florida before becoming ill,” according to the July 11 FDA update.
The product was sold at Big Olaf retailers in Florida as well as to consumers at restaurants and retirement homes, and a location in Fredericksburg, OH.
Recalled products:
- Big Olaf brand ice cream was sold to consumers in pint-sized plastic containers, ½-gallon plastic containers, and 2.5-gallon plastic tubs, which could be picked up and sold at retail stores. independent detail.
- All flavors, bundles, codes and all expiration dates through 06/30/2022 are included in this recall.
Big Olaf asked retailers to stop sales and get rid of the products.
Consumers who have purchased Big Olaf ice cream products should not consume these products and discard them immediately. All serving areas, containers and utensils that may have touched ice cream should be cleaned.
More information from Big Olaf Creamery
On Friday, July 1, 2022, Big Olaf Creamery was notified of an outbreak investigation by the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and immediately ceased production and distribution of the ice cream product.
According to the recall, other ice cream brands unrelated to Big Olaf were also mentioned as a possible source.
Big Olaf Creamery and all supplied retailers have received no complaints of product defect or disease. No formal complaints have been filed with the Florida Department of Health as of July 1, 2022.
About Listeria Infections
Foods contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell tainted, but can still cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Anyone who has consumed a recalled product and develops symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention and inform their physician of possible exposure to Listeria.
In addition, anyone who has consumed any of the recalled products should self-monitor for symptoms of food poisoning within the next few weeks, as it may take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis develop.
Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle pain, severe headache, and stiff neck. Specific laboratory tests are needed to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people like cancer patients with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk for serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women have only mild flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, newborn infection, or even stillbirth.
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