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...]
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...]
Two New Outbreaks on FDA CORE Investigation Table
There are two new outbreaks on the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. One is a Salmonella Newport outbreak, and the other is a Cryptosporidium outbreak. Four other outbreaks remain on the table. The new Salmonella Newport outbreak in a not yet identified food has sickened at least eight people. In that investigation, traceback has been initiated, but there is no recall, no onsite inspection, and no sample collection or analysis. The new Cryptosporidium outbreak in a not yet identified food has sickened at least 11 people. In that outbreak, traceback has been initiated. We don't know the states where ill people live, their age range, or if anyone has been hospitalized. The other outbreaks remain unchanged. In the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Soft Serve on the … [Read more...]
Ice Cream House Recalls All Frozen Desserts For Listeria
The Ice Cream House is recalling all dairy ice cream products and non dairy (parve) frozen dessert products for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. These items were sold at the Ice Cream House in rookie and through retail supermarkets in these states: New York, New Jersey, and Ohio. This recall is related to the Soft Serve on the Go cups that were recalled by Real Kosher Ice Cream earlier this month. There are two listeriosis illnesses connected to the Soft Serve on the Go Cups products. The recalled products include all Ice Cream House products that are currently on the market. This includes all dairy and non-dairy products, including ice cream, cakes, logs, and novelty items. All will have the "Ice Cream House" logo. The products are packaged in clamshells or cake … [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...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pico de Gallo Ends With No Resolution
A Salmonella outbreak linked to pico de gallo has ended with no resolution, according to the FDA. There are just four active outbreak investigations on the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. The outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ has ended. The FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners investigated this outbreak, conducting traceback and epidemiologic investigation. While they identified pico de gallo, a condiment made of tomatoes, chiles, and spices, as the source of the outbreak, they could not determine a specific ingredient in the mixture that was contaminated. They also could not find any Salmonella bacteria in the pico de gallo samples that were available. Environmental samples were also taken, but they were … [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 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...]
