Big Olaf Voluntarily Recalls Ice Cream After Listeria Outbreak: Report

SARASOTA, FL — Following a national listeria outbreak linked to its ice cream, Sarasota-based Big Olaf Creamery is voluntarily recalling its products from store shelves.

Jeremy Redfern with the Florida Department of Health told Food Safety News Saturday that the recall was underway, and that Big Olaf stopped the production of its ice cream during an investigation of the outbreak.

The outbreak left one person dead and nearly two dozen people hospitalized across 10 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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.

Though there hasn't been an official recall issued, anyone with Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream, which is sold only in Florida, should throw away any remaining products they might have, the CDC said. They should also clean any areas, containers and serving utensils that may have touched Big Olaf ice cream.

On its Facebook page, Big Olaf also said that it reopened its St. Armands shop on July 7, though it’s not serving its own ice cream.

“For the safety and concern of all of our customers, we have decided to temporarily discontinue selling the Big Olaf brand of ice cream and to purchase and sell the Sutter's Southern Creamery brand of ice cream that is made locally in Sarasota,” Big Olaf said. “This company has no connection with Big Olaf Creamery and we are confident in the safety (and) quality of this product.”

On social media, the company has expressed doubt that it is the source of the listeria outbreak.

"For now it is only speculation as it is an ongoing investigation, our brand has not been confirmed to be linked to these cases, I am not sure why only Big Olaf is being mentioned and targeted," Big Olaf wrote in a July 3 Instagram post. "The original report we got from the Florida Department of Health on Friday, July 1, was that there are 23 cases reported, the first one reported was January 2021. (Six) out of the 23 patients mentioned having consumed Big Olaf ice cream, but nothing has been proven. We have been cooperating with the Florida Department of Health, FDACS and the FDA as soon as we were informed about the situation. We have been transparent and have answered all their questions and provided them with all the information requested from us, as the health and well-being of the public is our first priority."

A CDC spokesperson told ABC 7 that the agency is “very confident” that Big Olaf is the source of the outbreak.

"CDC is concerned that Big Olaf Creamery ice cream could still be in people’s homes or available for sale in stores," the agency said online. "Big Olaf Creamery ice cream is sold in Florida in Big Olaf Creamery stores and stores with different company names.

As of Tuesday, 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.

Of the 17 people interviewed by public health officials, 14 of them (82 percent) reported they had eaten ice cream, the CDC said. Six of those people reported eating Big Olaf brand ice cream.

Big Olaf is voluntarily contacting retailers to recommend that they don't sell their ice cream and that they clean and disinfect any areas or equipment that may have been in contact with their products, the agency said.

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