The deadly Big Olaf ice cream Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has ended with 28 people sick in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of three more cases since the last update on August 4, 2022. The new patients live in Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York. The new states are Minnesota and Massachusetts. The case count by state is: Colorado (1), Florida (14), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Kansas (1), Massachusetts (2), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New York (4), and Pennsylvania (1). The patient age range is from less than one to 92 years. Illness onset dates range from January 24, 2021 to August 19, 2022. Of 28 ill persons, 27 were hospitalized. One person from Illinois died. Some of the illnesses … [Read more...]
Earth Grown Frozen Falafel E. coli Outbreak Sickens 20 in 6 States
An Earth Grown frozen Falafel E. coli O121 outbreak has sickened at least 20 people in six states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Five people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. A recall for two kinds of that falafel has been issued. These products were sold exclusively at Aldi stores. The patient case count by state is: Florida (2), Iowa (1), Kansas (1), Michigan (11), Ohio (1), and Wisconsin (4). Illness onset dates range from July 13, 2022 to September 13, 2022. The patient age range is from less than one to 71 years. Of 14 people who gave information to investigators, five have been hospitalized. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. E. coli O121 one of the Big Six non-O157 … [Read more...]
Generic Cyclospora Outbreak Illnesses Reach 800, 52 in Hospital
The generic Cyclospora outbreak illnesses have reached 800, with 52 in the hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's an increase of 416 more ill persons since the last update issued a month ago, and 22 more people hospitalized. None of these patients had a history of international travel during the 14 day period before illness onset. And there is still no food or foods or venues named by the government. The median illness onset date is June 29, 2022. The illness onset range is from May 3, 2022 through August 12, 2022. This outbreak could still grow since it takes time from when a person eats contaminated food, gets sick, is evaluated and diagnosed, and the illness is reported. Historically, there has been a large spike in domestically … [Read more...]
Vibrio Death Investigated in Escambia County, Florida
A Vibrio death is being investigated by public health officials in Escambia County, Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health in that county. Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that lives in warm, brackish seawater and it grows faster in the warmer summer months. Shellfish, including oysters, consume the pathogen as they feed on plankton, and it concentrates in the flesh. Anyone who eats a contaminated raw or undercooked oysters can get sick. And anyone with cuts, scratches, or open wounds can be exposed to the pathogen through direct contact with seawater or estuarine water. About 80,000 people are sickened with vibriosis every year, and about 100 people die. While most people who contract this infection only have a mild illness, people in certain populations can … [Read more...]
Two More Illnesses in Big Olaf Ice Cream Listeria Outbreak
Two more illnesses in the Big Olaf ice cream Listeria monocytogenes outbreak brings the total to 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty-four people have been hospitalized, one person has died, and there has been one fetal loss. And there is a genetic match between the ice cream samples and patient isolates. The case count by state is: Colorado (1), Florida (13), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Kansas (1), Nebraska (1), Massachusetts (2), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (1), New York (2), and Pennsylvania (1). The patient age range is from less than one to 92 years. Illness onset dates range from January 24, 2021 to June 24, 2022. It's possible that this outbreak will keep growing, since it can take up to 70 days, or more than two months, between when a … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Illnesses Spike to 384 Sick with 30 Hospitalized
Cyclospora illnesses have spiked to 384 sick in 22 states and 30 hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There has been a cyclospora outbreak, in fact, usually several cyclospora outbreaks, in the United States during the spring and summer months every year since 2013. This is an increase of 323 cases since the last update was issued on June 30, 2022. Cases are still being reported. Last year, there were two cyclospora outbreaks that were unsolved that sickened at least 153 people. In 2020, a cyclospora outbreak linked to Fresh Express bagged salads sickened at least 701 people in 14 states and hospitalized 38. Cases usually peak in June and July, although activity can last through September. The number of clusters vary from season to … [Read more...]
Big Olaf Who? Amid Outbreak Shops Ditch Ice Cream, Branding
For Big Olaf, the break-ups came quickly but not all at once. And not all of them quietly. In the two and half weeks since Big Olaf ice cream was linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak, licensed shops throughout Florida started switching to new suppliers. One owner has permanently changed the names of the two stores she operates. Although Listeria isn't as common as other foodborne pathogens. It is the most deadly. And it targets pregnant women, who can suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth if they develop an infection. "Five of the patients in this outbreak are women who contracted listeriosis while they were pregnant," said Eric Hageman, a Listeria lawyer, and Food Poisoning Bulletin Publisher. Hageman has extensive experience with Listeria lawsuits including one filed on behalf of a … [Read more...]
Big Olaf Ice Cream Positive For Listeria Monocytogenes
Big Olaf ice cream positive for Listeria monocytogenes, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Sixteen flavors of the 17 samples taken for testing were positive. They include Blueberry Cheesecake, Cherry Cordial, Butter Pecan, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Coconut, Coconut Almond Joy, Cookie Dough, Cookies & Cream, Mint Chip, Kahlua Krunch, Pistachio, Plantation Praline, Superman, Vanilla, and White Chocolate Raspberry. A formal stop sales order has been issued by FDACS on those sixteen flavors. The ice cream was recalled by the company on July 13, 2022. Earlier, nine of the environmental samples taken from the Big Olaf Creamery facility in Florida tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Officials were waiting on results of a tenth … [Read more...]
Listeria Found at Big Olaf Creamery Facility in Nine Swabs
Listeria found at Big Olaf Creamery facility in nine environmental swabs, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS). Erin M. Moffet, spokesman for that agency, said in a statement, "FDACS has issued a stop use order of the processing equipment where the Listeria monocytogenes was found. This will effectively shut down all operations at this processing facility, which had already been done voluntarily by the company." That ice cream is linked to a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened at least 23 people in 10 states. Twenty-two people have been hospitalized, one person who lived in Illinois died, and there was one fetal loss. The case count by state remains: Colorado (1), Florida (12), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Kansas (1), … [Read more...]
Big Olaf Ice Cream Linked to Listeria Outbreak Also Sold in Ohio
Big Olaf ice cream that is linked to a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak was also sold in Ohio in addition to Florida, according to an update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The ice cream was finally recalled today, July 13, 2022, after the FDA said that the product was still being sold even after a recall was allegedly issued by the company last week. The ice cream was sold or served at Big Olaf retailers, restaurants, and senior homes in Florida, and was also sold at one location in Fredericksburg, Ohio. That Ohio outlet was not named. The ice cream was sold in plastic pint-size containers, in plastic 1/2 gallon containers, and was sold to independent retail stores in plastic 2.5-gallon scoopable tubs. All flavors and lots of Big Olaf ice cream … [Read more...]
