CDC Links Florida Listeria Outbreak To Nearly 40-Year-Old Ice Cream Brand Following 1 Death

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the listeria outbreak in Florida that has resulted in 1 death is tied to a creamery in Sarasota that was established in Siesta Village in 1982. There have been a total of 22 hospitalizations due to the listeria outbreak in the state.

In an updated outbreak report on its website, the CDC noted that “consumers who have Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream at home should throw away any remaining product.” The health agency added that “Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream is only sold in Florida.” Investigation into the outbreak is still ongoing.

The CDC went on to advise consumers to clean any utensil, container, or area that may have come in contact with ice cream products from the said creamery. The agency also advised retailers to stop serving any products from the creamery and to clean and disinfect items and equipment that may have come in contact with Big Olaf ice cream products.

The CDC said Big Olaf Creamery “is voluntarily contacting retail locations to recommend against selling their ice cream products until further notice.”

In a statement on Facebook posted Sunday, the 39-year-old creamery clarified that the “brand has not been confirmed to be linked to these cases, I am not sure why only Big Olaf is being mentioned and targeted.” The company went on to reveal that it has been “cooperating with the Florida Department of Health, FDACS and the FDA as soon as we were informed about the situation,” adding that it has answered all questions from the said agencies and provided the necessary information “as the health and well-being of the public is our first priority.”

Late last week, the CDC said in its epidemiologic report of the listeria outbreak in Florida that 82% or 14 people of 17 interviewed regarding the outbreak “reported eating ice cream.” Furthermore, the CDC said six of those interviewed reported eating Big Olaf Creamery ice cream “or eating ice cream at locations that might have been supplied” by the said creamery.

Twenty-three people had been infected with the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak strain as of last Wednesday and one person died. Twenty-two of the infected patients were hospitalized, with a dozen of the infections reported in Florida.

According to the CDC, Listeria symptoms vary from person to person, but pregnant people and their newborns as well as adults aged 65 and older are at high risk of getting sick from Listeria infection.

With non-pregnant patients, symptoms usually include fever, headache, loss of balance, flu-like symptoms, confusion, stiff neck, and seizures. Listeria infection is labeled "serious" by the CDC.