A deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that is associated with milkshakes served at the Tacoma Frugals restaurant has hospitalized six people, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Three patients have sadly died. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria was found in all milkshake flavors sold at that restaurant, which is located at 10727 Pacific Avenue South in Tacoma, Washington. All six patients in this outbreak had health issues that made them more vulnerable to infections. Two people who were hospitalized and survived said they ate the Tacoma Frugals' milkshakes before they got sick. Because ice cream has been linked to listeriosis outbreaks in the past, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department collected samples from the restaurant on August 8, 2023, and today … [Read more...]
Soft Serve on the Go is Not the First Ice Cream Listeria Outbreak
Soft Serve on the Go is not the first Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to ice cream. There are four other outbreaks linked to that type of product within the last nine years. And some of them have been deadly. While ice cream is considered "low risk" for causing Listeria infections, illnesses have happened, and the outcomes can be serious. Ice cream is uniquely susceptible to Listeria contamination for two reasons. One, there is no kill step before the consumer eats it - the product is ready to eat. That's why there is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready to eat foods. Second, Listeria monocytogenes colonizes easily in moist and cool locations, typical of most ice cream factories. And ice cream is often served in nursing homes, hospitals, and care … [Read more...]
Soft Serve on the Go Cups Recalled in Canada For Listeria
Soft Serve on the Go Cups are being recalled in Canada for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. There is a listeriosis outbreak in the United States linked to these products, but no illnesses have been reported in Canada in connection with the consumption of these products. The recalling firm is Real Kosher Ice Cream. This recall was triggered by that outbreak. The ice cream was sold in Ontario and Quebec at the retail level. The recalled products are Soft Serve on the Go cups that are packaged in 8 ounce clear plastic cups. All units sold up to and including August 10, 2023 are included in this recall. The recalled items are all Soft Serve on the Go brand. They are Caramel Vanilla (ice cream) with UPC number 0 91404 15131 3, Natural Peanut butter (ice cream) with UPC … [Read more...]
Soft Serve on the Go Linked to Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak
Soft Serve on the Go ice cream cups are linked to a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened two people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The ice cream cups and sorbet have been recalled by the company, Real Kosher Ice Cream. The patients live in Pennsylvania and New York. Patient isolates were collect in May and June 2023. Both people were hospitalized. The median age is 77, and one person is female and the other male. One patient bought Soft Serve on the Go ice cream cups from a grocery store. The other likely ate the same ice cream cup at a long term care facility. Investigators are using the PulseNet system to try to find others who may be part of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing conducted on the patient isolates showed that … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak May Be Linked to Soft Serve on the Go Cups
A Listeria outbreak that may be linked to Soft Serve on the Go Cups produced by Real Kosher Ice Cream has sickened at least two people. The patients live in Pennsylvania and New York. The outbreak was announced in an FDA recall notice, and the FDA just posted an outbreak investigation notice. We don't know much about this outbreak, such as the patient ages or illness onset dates. The last patient sample collection date was June 29, 2023. We do know that six of the company's products have been recalled, and that the Pennsylvania Department of Health found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of one of the ice cream products. Whole genome sequencing is being conducted to find out if this pathogen is the same strain of Listeria causing illnesses. The patient in Pennsylvania … [Read more...]
Soft Serve on the Go Cups Recalled For Possible Listeria; 2 Sick
Soft Serve on the Go Cups by Real Kosher Ice Cream are being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Two people are sick; one person in New York and one in Pennsylvania. Both of these patients were hospitalized. The recalling firm is Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn, New York. The recalled soft serve ice cream and sorbet cups were sold at the retail level in these states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and in Washington DC. The ice cream was sold in canteens, convenience stores, and grocery stores. The recalled products are all Soft Serve on the Go brand packaged in clear … [Read more...]
Deadly Big Olaf Ice Cream Listeria Outbreak Ends with 28 Sick
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...]
Deadly Florida Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Linked to Ice Cream
The new deadly Florida Listeria monocytogenes outbreak is linked to ice cream, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a result of the investigation, Big Olaf Creamery of Sarasota, Florida is contacting retail locations to recommend they not sell their product. Anyone who has any Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream at home should discard it immediately, even if some has been consumed and no one has been ill. The case count by state remains at: Colorado (1), Florida (12), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Kansas (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. Five people got sick during a pregnancy, and one illness resulted in a fetal loss. The person who died lived in … [Read more...]
Recall Roundup: Foods Recently Recalled For Possible Listeria
There have been several recalls of foods for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination recently. Some of these foods are still within their expiration dates and people may have them in their refrigerators or freezers. They include frozen shrimp, enoki mushrooms, ice cream, and chicken salad, among others. None of these foods have been linked to any outbreak. This bacteria is problematic because freezing does not kill it, and it can grow at refrigerator temperatures. And since frozen foods have such a long shelf life, people may have bought these items and forgot about them. Checking your freezer occasionally to make sure you don't have recalled foods is a good way to avoid illness. Foods Recalled For Listeria Enoki Mushrooms There have been three recent recalls of enoki … [Read more...]
Batch Ice Cream Recalled For Possible Listeria Contamination
Batch Ice Cream is being recalled in three flavors because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The recalled flavors are Vanilla, Ginger, and Mocha Chip. No illnesses have been reported to the FDA or the company to date in connection with this issue. The recalling firm is The Royal Ice Cream Company Inc. of Manchester, Connecticut. The ice cream was distributed to Market Basket stores in Massachusetts, Big Y stores in Massachusetts, and CT & Roach Brothers Market stores, also located in Massachusetts. The recalled product is Batch Ice Cream in Vanilla, Ginger, and Mocha Chip flavors that is packaged in paper 16 ounce pint containers. The Batch Ice Cream brand name and flavors are printed on the front of the containers. The recalled products are coded … [Read more...]
