It's time for the Top 10 Outbreaks of 2023. Number 10 is the Ice Cream House Listeria Monocytogenes outbreak that took place in the summer of 2023. It sickened at least two people; one lives in New York, the other in Pennsylvania. Both patients were hospitalized. The median age in this outbreak was 77 years. People over the age of 65 are much more likely to suffer serious complications from a Listeria monocytogenes infection. In fact, one of the patients lived in a long term care facility where they were likely served this product. The other patient ought "Soft Serve on the Go" ice cream cups from a grocery store. Whole genome sequencing showed that the bacteria from patient isolates were closely related genetically. This means that they likely got sick from eating the same … [Read more...]
May Be 22 Lead Poisoning Cases in WanaBana Applesauce Recall
There are may be 22 lead poisoning cases in the WanaBana applesauce recall issue, according to the FDA. This is an increase of 15 more cases since the last update last week. The FDA and state partners are collecting and analyzing more produce samples of fruit puree and applesauce pouches. So far, the FDA has found no problems with any non-recalled products. The case count by state is: Alabama (12), Arkansas (1), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), New Mexico (1), New York (2), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Washington (1), and unknown (1). The illness report date ranges are from October 17, 2023 to November 7, 2023. We do not know the patient age ranges, although the initial report from North Carolina indicated … [Read more...]
Ice Cream House Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Ends
The Ice Cream House Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has ended with two people sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both patients were hospitalized. One patient lives in New York, and the other lives in Pennsylvania. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence showed that ice cream made by The Ice Cream House, located in Brooklyn, New York, made people sick. One patient ate "Soft Serve on the Go" ice cream cups, and the other person likely ate the same ice cream cup at a long term care facility where they lived. The median age of the patients is 77. The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes was found in those cups, in a mini dessert cigar novelty ice cream product, and in several environmental samples taken from two Ice Cream House … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Restaurants About Future Seafoods Raw Oysters
The FDA is warning restaurants not to serve Future Seafoods raw oysters from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, because they may be contaminated with Salmonella and generic E. coli bacteria. Restaurants and food retailers in these states may have recently purchased those oysters: Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Consumers may have purchased the oysters. The Future Seafoods harvest number is PE 4217 SP). The oysters were harvested in October 10, 2023 from the harvest area PE9B and then sold to those restaurants and retailers. Contaminated oysters can cause serious illness if they are eaten raw. Food that is contaminated with pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli will look, smell, and taste normal, and their texture is not … [Read more...]
Brooklyn Ice Cream House Listeria Outbreak Sickens Two
The Brooklyn Ice Cream House Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least two people, according to the FDA. Both patients, who live in Pennsylvania and New York, have been hospitalized. The Ice Cream House storefront, located in Brooklyn, New York, has recalled all of their branded products sold at the Brooklyn location as well as at retail supermarkets located in New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. The recalled items include all dairy and non-dairy products that carry the Ice Cream house logo. They include ice cream, cakes, pies, ice cream logs, and novelty items such as trio log sorbet, Hello Kitty Cake, Heaven Layer Vanilla, Tropical Flute, De'Lightning Frozen Dessert, and others. Real Kosher Ice Cream has also recalled all flavors of their Soft Serve on the Go 8 ounce ice … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak – Where Was Soft Serve on the Go Made?
A Listeria outbreak linked to Soft Serve on the Go ice cream has sickened at least two people, both of whom were hospitalized. The recalled ice cream cups were distributed to 19 states, Washington DC, and some international locations. But just where the products were made has been a mystery, until now. Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn issued a recall for the ice cream cups on August 9 and halted distribution of the products. A statement on the company’s website, says “Serve on the Go Cups are manufactured at their own dedicated facility.” But neither the recall nor the website statement indicates where that facility is located. It turns out, the mystery facility is located just blocks from Real Kosher Ice Cream. Soft Serve on the Go ice cream was made at Ice Cream House, LLC, located … [Read more...]
New York Officials Find Listeria in Cups From Real Kosher Facility
New York officials find Listeria in cups From Real Kosher Ice Cream's manufacturing facility, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Investigators from the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets visited the manufacturing location and collected the cups. The outbreak strain was found in five finished product samples of the Vanilla Chocolate variety, confirmed by whole genome sequencing. On August 10, 2023, the CDC said that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture found the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in an unopened Soft Serve on the Go Vanilla Chocolate ice cream cup that a patient had in their freezer. That means that the products are linked to this outbreak by epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory data. The outbreak case … [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 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...]
