The ice cream company Big Olaf is recalling products after a listeria outbreak: NPR
Sixteen of the 17 flavors of Big Olaf ice cream samples tested came back positive for listeria, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Centers for disease control and prevention
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Centers for disease control and prevention
Sixteen of the 17 flavors of Big Olaf ice cream samples tested came back positive for listeria, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Centers for disease control and prevention
A listeria outbreak in Big Olaf ice cream products that has plagued nearly two dozen people in 10 states forced the brand to recall all flavors and products this week, the Food and Drug Administration said.
The outbreak resulted in one death, one fetal loss and 22 hospitalizations, the FDA said.
“Based on epidemiological information collected by the CDC and [Florida Department of Health]Big Olaf ice cream products are a likely source of disease in this outbreak, “the FDA said, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The FDA said that all “flavors, batches, codes and expiration dates up to and including 30.06.2022 are included in this recall.” But it added that consumers and retailers should throw away the product, regardless of the “best within” or expiration date.
Cases were reported in Florida, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The CDC encourages companies that sell ice cream to “clean and disinfect all areas and equipment that may have affected” the recalled products, “including ice cream scoops and other serving utensils.”
The Big Olaf creamery in Florida halted production and distribution of its ice cream after the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services investigated the outbreak.
The company said in its recall announcement that it “cooperates fully with regulatory authorities to succeed in returning all suspected products and has asked retailers to stop selling and discard the product.”
Big Olaf Creamery of Sarasota has several stores in Florida and sells to retailers and restaurants across the state. The brand also has one location in Ohio.
Erin Moffet, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Agriculture, said in a statement to NPR: “The results of product sampling taken from the Big Olaf production facility last week by [the department] found that 16 of the 17 flavors tested were positive for Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono). “
According to the Florida agency, Big Olaf includes the ice cream flavors where listeria was found in product samples:
- Blueberry cheesecake
- Butter Pecan
- Cherry Cordial
- Chocolate
- Chocolate piece
- Coconut
- Coconut almond delight
- Biscuit dough
- Cookies and cream
- Kahlua Krunch
- Mint Chip
- Pistachio
- Plantation praline
- Superman
- Vanilla
- White chocolate raspberries
“With these results, FDACS is currently issuing formal stop sales on the 16 products there [Listeria] was found, which was previously part of a voluntary recall, “Moffet said. Moffet said the department is cooperating with other state and federal agencies on the ongoing investigation.
Listeria can lead to life-threatening and potentially fatal infections for vulnerable populations, including those who are young, immunocompromised or elderly. Short-term symptoms in healthy people can include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, according to the FDA.
Listeria infections can also lead to miscarriages or stillbirths.
