SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – A deadly Listeria outbreak is linked to Sarasota ice cream maker Big Olaf Creamery.
“It was one of my favorite places and it’s so popular,” Sarasota resident Lynette Poynter said. “And it’s very very sad.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak has left one dead and dozens hospitalized due to this ice cream brand. The CDC said Big Olaf Creamery in Sarasota voluntarily contacted retail stores across the country to recommend against selling its ice cream products until further notice.
“Listeria is a bacteria, and it finds its way in a number of ways into foods,” Sarasota Memorial Hospital obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Washington Hill said. “And many of those foods are frequently dairy foods; cheese, ice cream, milk.”
The disease causes common food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea and fever. While it can be deadly, Dr. Hill says it’s not very concerning for the general population.
“Listeria, to you or I, or the non-pregnant patient is not really a serious disease,” Dr. Hill said. “We may have some flu-like symptoms, some GI symptoms that type of thing, but it is not really a serious disease.”
The disease mainly affects pregnant women and their newborns, adults who are aged 65 and older, and people with weaker immune systems. According to CDC, the disease is 13 times more common for expecting mothers.
“The baby can become infected, there can be a miscarriage, stillbirth, or if the baby is born, it can spend some time in the ICU,” Dr. Hill said.
Dr. Hill adds miscarriages and stillbirths are rare.”
“It’s around five percent or so who end up with the more serious disease in the fetus,” Dr. Hill said.
According to the CDC, 12 people in Florida reported the illness. Dr. Hill says he sees pregnancy loss from listeria in Sarasota County about once a year.
After 25 years in business, locals are concerned for Big Olaf Creamery.
“I hope the best for them and I hope they can recover from it,” Poynter said.
The owner spoke with SNN, but not want to comment on camera. He said this has never happened to his business before and production is working with the FDA to fix the problem.
CDC says if you bought this ice cream or if you’re a business who bought the ice cream, you should throw it out because it’s not safe. Consumers and retailers who purchased or sold the products are advised to clean and disinfect areas and equipment that may have come into contact, including ice cream scoops and other serving utensils.
If you have symptoms, Dr. Hill says you should call your physician.
Big Olaf Ice Cream is only sold in Florida. For a list of all the places it’s sold, you can click here.
