The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are actively engaged in an ongoing investigation to unravel a possible Listeria outbreak connected to the consumption of “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups, manufactured by Real Kosher. The outbreak appears to have spread across more than 20 states in the United States, prompting health authorities to take swift measures to comprehend the origin and extent of the outbreak.
Two individuals, hailing from New York and Pennsylvania, were hospitalized after consuming the suspected ice cream cups, catalyzing the CDC’s involvement. Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium known to cause Listeriosis – a severe health condition with heightened risk for vulnerable populations such as newborns, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems – is believed to be the cause of their illnesses.
Particular concern is the potential impact of the outbreak on residents of long-term care facilities, who are more susceptible due to underlying health conditions. Highlighting this apprehension, the CDC emphasized, “The CDC is expressing concern due to the fact that the ice cream subject to recall was distributed in a long-term care facility, where a considerable number of residents are 65 years old or above and could potentially possess compromised immune systems. As a result, their susceptibility to severe illness caused by Listeria is notably elevated.”
One patient who fell ill revealed that they had consumed a “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cup from Real Kosher Ice Cream, leading health inspectors to discover L. monocytogenes in the ice cream cup stored in their freezer.
While some individuals may recover from Listeriosis without medical intervention, and therefore might not be tested for L. monocytogenes, the CDC cautioned that the true extent of the outbreak may be greater than initially reported due to the time-consuming nature of investigations.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently working to determine whether the bacterium found in the patient’s freezer matches the outbreak strain. However, the ice cream manufacturer has denied the presence of potentially contaminated products.
To aid in identifying the recalled ice cream cups, the FDA has provided the Universal Product Code (UPC). These cups were distributed in 20 states within the U.S. and also exported to countries such as Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. As a precautionary measure, all “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups produced by Real Kosher Ice Cream up to August 4 have been recalled, and production and distribution have been halted as investigations continue.
The CDC issued a strong advisory against consuming “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups while the investigation is underway. Individuals with these products at home are urged to discard them or return them to the store for a refund, given the bacterium’s ability to survive at subfreezing temperatures. Hospitals, businesses, and long-term care facilities are particularly urged to avoid selling or serving these ice cream cups.
If individuals experience symptoms of listeriosis, including fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures after consuming the ice cream, they should seek medical attention promptly. Listeria symptoms can manifest within approximately two weeks after consuming contaminated food, though they may appear sooner or as late as ten weeks later in some cases.
