According to a report, the Florida ice cream maker allegedly linked to a listeria outbreak that has killed two and dozens of patients has refused to issue a withdrawal while officials investigate.
The Florida Department of Health is leading an investigation into the Big Olaf Creamery-related outbreak in Sarasota, Florida, and has advised consumers not to eat ice cream from the 25-year-old family business.
The state agency also ordered Big Olaf to “suspend sales and production until further notice,” but it appears the company is resisting, agency spokesman Jeremy Redfern told The Post.
“They said they would start contacting their distributors, advising them not to sell the product,” Redfern said. “We expected them to do so, but judging by what we’ve heard in the media and what the company has posted on their social media, it looks like they continue to ship and manufacture the product.”
There are 15 Big Olaf ice cream parlors in Florida.Yelp
Redfern also said the FDOH has no regulatory authority to prevent the company from making and selling ice cream, which other state agencies, including the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, are tasked with forcing the withdrawal.
The agency continues to investigate the case, he said. “We don’t know for sure whether the dairy is responsible for the outbreak, but there is epidemiological evidence to point it out.”
According to the agency’s website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises consumers to “throw away any remaining product” while investigating 22 hospitalizations and one death linked to the brand.
Big Olaf did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“At the moment they are just speculations, as it is an ongoing investigation, it has not been confirmed that our brand is linked to these cases,” the company said in a post on Facebook on July 3rd. “I’m not sure why it’s just mentioned and pointed to Big Olaf,” he added that “nothing has been proven” and that he has been cooperating with state and federal authorities.
There are 15 licensed Big Olaf creams in Florida and the product is also available at nursing homes, restaurants, fairs and supermarkets, according to the company’s website.
Mary Billman’s family is suing Big Olaf after dying of listeria 11 days after eating contaminated ice cream and another woman is suing the company alleging she aborted her baby as a result of eating ice cream .
All but 23 of the known victims were hospitalized with severe symptoms, according to government reports.
The company says its ice cream is “hand-mixed” by “local Amish artisans”. Yelp Mary Billman died of listeria 11 days after eating ice cream. Marler Clark LLP
The outbreak began in January and involves residents of 10 states living in Florida, where Big Olaf is sold exclusively, or who traveled there the month they became ill.
Fourteen of the 17 people interviewed by regulatory agencies reported eating frozen food. Of the 13 who recalled details about the type of ice cream they ate, six reported eating Big Olaf branding or eating ice cream at places the company supplies, according to the law firm Marler Clark, which represents the family of Mary Billman.
Big Olaf ice cream is only sold in Florida. Google Maps
Big Olaf says “every tub” of his ice cream is “mixed by hand with the best ingredients and then beaten in batch freezers by local Amish artisans,” according to his website. “The smooth, creamy consistency comes from two sources: attention to detail and fresh, high-fat buttermilk (14%).”