Ice Cream Linked To Listeria Cases In NJ, 9 Other States

NEW JERSEY - A Florida-based ice cream brand has been linked to almost two dozen cases of listeria, including at least one case in New Jersey, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

23 illnesses and 22 hospitalizations in 10 states as of July 2, according to the CDC. One person has died from the outbreak. Out of 17 individuals interviewed by the CDC, 14 reported eating Big Olaf Ice Cream.

1 person from New Jersey reported getting sick in connection with the incident, the CDC said.

On July 1, the brand voluntarily began contacting retail locations to recommend against selling their ice cream products, which are only sold in Florida, the CDC added.

“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 Ice Cream said in a statement on social media. “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.”

Consumers who have Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream at home should throw away any remaining product and clean any areas, containers, and serving utensils that may have touched Big Olaf ice cream products, the CDC said.

Common listeria symptoms include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches. Symptoms of severe illness usually start within two weeks after eating contaminated food, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 70 days after.

The illness isn’t typically deadly, but pregnant people, adults 65 years or older, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness.