Big Olaf had to recall all of its ice cream flavours and products this week due to a listeria outbreak that has sickened over two dozen people in ten states, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
According to the FDA, the incident caused 22 hospitalizations, one foetal loss, and one death.
The FDA, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the following:
“Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC and the [Florida Department of Health], Big Olaf ice cream products are a likely source of illness in this outbreak.”
The FDA added that all “flavors, lots, codes, and expiration dates through 6/30/2022 are included in this recall” and that no matter the “best by” or expiration date, customers and retailers should throw away the product immediately.
Cases were reported in Florida, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Businesses that sold the ice cream are urged by the CDC to “clean and disinfect any areas and equipment that may have touched” the recalled products, “including ice cream scoops and other serving utensils.”
The Big Olaf creamery in Florida has since halted production and distribution of its ice cream after the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services investigated the outbreak.
According to the Florida agency, the Big Olaf ice cream flavors where listeria was found in product samples include:
- Blueberry Cheesecake
- Butter Pecan
- Cherry Cordial
- Chocolate
- Chocolate Chip
- Coconut
- Coconut Almond Joy
- Cookie Dough
- Cookies & Cream
- Kahlua Krunch
- Mint Chip
- Pistachio
- Plantation Praline
- Superman
- Vanilla
- White Chocolate Raspberry
Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with impaired immune systems, are susceptible to infections caused by listeria that can be lethal or life-threatening. According to the FDA, short-term symptoms in healthy individuals can include a high fever, a strong headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.
Miscarriages and stillbirths can also be caused by listeria infections.