2 Big Olaf Locations Leave Franchise, Rebrand With New Ice Cream

SARASOTA, FL — Following a deadly listeria outbreak linked to Sarasota’s Big Olaf Creamery, two locations have cut ties with the company and rebranded with new ice cream.

The outbreak left one person dead and 22 people hospitalized across 10 states since Jan. 24, 2021, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC initially linked the listeria spread to Big Olaf in a June 30 food safety alert.

Since then, listeria has been found in the ice cream brand’s processing facility in Sarasota and in 16 of 17 flavors tested by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The two former Big Olaf ice cream shops — one at 4862 S. Tamiami Trail, the other at 3973 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota — are now going by the name Blue Pineapple, the franchise shared on its Facebook page under the name Dream 2 Ice Cream. The storefronts will sell McClain’s Homemade Ice Cream, which is also based in Sarasota.

“Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Big Olaf. We renamed our ice cream shop to Blue Pineapple. What are your thoughts?” the company posted Monday afternoon. “Our ice cream is still locally made. Still will be serving 43 flavors but introducing a few new flavors. Very exciting.”

The FDACS issued a stop-order for Big Olaf’s facility and a stop-sale order for their products last week, though the company had already voluntarily shut down operations.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has also issued a recall of Big Olaf brand ice cream sold to consumers in plastic pint-size containers and plastic ½-gallon containers and to retailers in plastic 2.5-gallon tubs. The recall includes all flavors, lots, codes and expiration dates through June 30.

• Related: Big Olaf Creamery Sued Over Listeria Outbreak That Killed 1: Court

The ice cream was sold to and served at Big Olaf retailers, restaurants and senior homes in Florida, as well as one location in Fredericksburg, Ohio.

According to the company's website, Big Olaf products, which are made at a local creamery near the Amish village of Pinecraft, were sold at the following Florida locations:

• Big Olaf Creamery – Lakewood Ranch, 8151 Lakewood Main Street, Lakewood Ranch
• Big Olaf Creamery – Pinecraft, 3350 Bahia Vista, Sarasota
• Big Olaf Creamery – St. Armands, 561 North Washington Drive, Sarasota
• Big Olaf Creamery – Venice, 1276 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice
• Big Olaf Creamery – Siesta Key, 5208 Oceans Blvd., Sarasota
• Big Olaf Creamery – Bee Ridge Plaza, 3973 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota
• Beverly's Ice Cream, 301 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach
• Super Scoops, 11025 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island
• Sundial Beach Resort and Spa, 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel
• Tedi's Olde Tyme Ice Cream, 65 George Street, St. Augustine
• Good Ole Days, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
• Fantastic Fudge, 218 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach
• Sprinkles Ice Cream Shop and Retro Candy, 6870 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach
• Twistee Treat, 10 Pine Island Road, North Fort Myers
• The Ice Cream Shop, 1107 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres

The brand is facing two lawsuits related to the outbreak. The estate of a 79-year-old Pesotum, Illinois woman, Mary Billman, who died Jan. 29 filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Big Olaf. A Massachusetts woman is also suing the company after she became ill from eating the ice cream while visiting Florida and lost her pregnancy, her attorney said.

As of July 13, 23 people ranging in age from less than 1 year old to 92 have been infected during this outbreak. The first illness happened Jan. 24, 2021, and the most recent was reported June 12, 2022, the CDC said.

Recent illnesses might not be reported yet because it takes three to four weeks to determine whether someone who is sick is part of the outbreak, the agency added. Symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with listeria, though people might feel sick as early as the same day or as many as 70 days later.

Those with Listeriosis, caused by the germ Listeria monocytogenes, typically report common food poisoning symptoms, such as diarrhea and fever. Most people usually recover without requiring treatment, the CDC said. It primarily affects pregnant women, newborns, adults 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems.

During this current listeria outbreak, 12 people in Florida — the most out of any state — have fallen ill. New York and Massachusetts have each reported two sick people, while Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia and Pennsylvania have each reported one sick person.