According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a recent outbreak of Listeria has been linked to Big Olaf Ice Cream, an ice cream brand based in Sarasota, Florida.
One person has died from the outbreak while 22 people have been hospitalized. The outbreak has spanned 10 states.
The CDC said health officials interviewed 17 of those infected, and 14 of those infected said they ate ice cream.
Of the 13 people who recalled what type of ice cream they had eaten, six were able to name the brand and remember it was Big Olaf Ice Cream or a place that served the same brand of ice cream.
The company released information about the outbreak on social media on Sunday, calling it “speculation” while adding that it is working with all local authorities.
“Right now it is just speculation as it is an ongoing investigation. Our brand has not been confirmed to be associated with these cases…” the company stated. “The original report we received from the Florida Department of Health on Friday, July 1st was that 23 cases were reported… 6 of the 23 patients mentioned consumed Big Olaf ice cream, but nothing was proven.”
Customers who have this brand of ice are advised to throw it away and clean and disinfect any items that have touched the product.
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