Listeria Law Firm Investigating Big Olaf Ice Cream as Deadly Listeria Outbreak Unfolds
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in coordination with its local partners, including the Florida Department of Health and regulatory officials in other states, has launched a multi-state investigation following the identification and announcement of a Listeria outbreak linked to ice cream. The source of the listeria outbreak appears to be Big Olaf brand ice cream products, a company centered out of Sarasota, Florida. The national food poisoning law firm of Ron Simon & Associates is also investigating the outbreak.
Reminiscent of the deadly Blue Bell Ice Cream Listeria outbreak in recent years, in which a number of the victims were represented by food poisoning lawyer Ron Simon, the case against Big Olaf brand ice cream is being built upon epidemiological data gathered when individual cases are reported to local and state health agencies. The dedicated epidemiologists and case workers have been interviewing people who have contracted Listeria and have been walking them through food-targeting interviews. For example, of the 17 people interviewed so far, 14 (82%) of them reported having eaten ice cream. Out of the 13 people who remember specific details regarding the type of ice cream they ate, 6 reported having consumed Big Olaf Creamery ice cream products or having eaten at an ice cream shop that may have used Big Olaf ice cream products. These numbers are statistically significant findings.
According to the CDC the Listeria outbreak connected to Big Olaf ice cream products has caused 23 cases of Listeria infection, 22 hospitalizations, and 1 death.
“The investigation is ongoing,” says food safety ;lawyer Tony Coveny, “and there remains a great deal we do not know at this time. We are confident, however, that the FDA, CDC, and state and local authorities will quickly bring things into greater focus.”
According to reports, Big Olaf Creamery has responded to the Listeria outbreak by issuing a state-wide recall in Florida, directing them not to sell any of their ice cream products until more answers are found – also reminiscent of the Blue Bell ice cream recall that took Blue Bell ice cream off shelves for an extended period of time.
In a statement concerning their joint investigation of the issue with state and federal health officials, Big Olaf Creamery said, “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.”
Listeria infection is especially dangerous for pregnant women and their infants, as well as the elderly and those with a weakened immune system. Pregnant women are far more susceptible to contracting a Listeria infection, and can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, or premature delivery – consequences that are often only possible to identify through a placental culture post-mortem.
The symptoms of Listeria infection include fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, and often sore neck, back, or disorientation – the symptoms of bacterial encephalitis and meningitis.
According to Ron Simon, the nation’s preeminent food poisoning attorney, “anyone in possession of a Big Olaf brand ice cream product should treat it as a potentially deadly substance and thoroughly disinfect any utensils or surfaces it has contacted. If symptomatic they should then contact their medical providers, and thereafter reach out to my office to explore their legal options.”
For the latest information concerning the investigation of the Listeria outbreak connected with Big Olaf ice cream, visit the CDC’s website or call the national food poisoning law firm of Ron Simon & Associates at 1-888-335-4901.
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/monocytogenes-06-22/details.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna36690
https://apnews.com/article/health-lawsuits-florida-sarasota-97c72ff3c2ff6e37b38b3af8365a5c7e
