2023 Aug.10

CDC warns of Listeria outbreak linked to “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups

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A CDC food safety alert regarding an outbreak of Listeria infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/ice-cream-08-23/index.html

Key Points:

  • Two people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported, one from New York and one from Pennsylvania. Both have been hospitalized, and neither died.
    • The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.
    • This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
  • Listeria was found in a “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cup collected from a sick person’s freezer, and laboratory scientists are working to determine if it is the outbreak strain of Listeria.
  • On August 9, 2023, Real Kosher Ice Cream recalled all flavors of “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups.
  • CDC is concerned because the recalled ice cream was served in at least one long-term care facility, where many residents are aged 65 or older or may have weakened immune systems. This makes them more likely to get very sick from Listeria.

What Everyone Should Do:

  • Do not eat “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups.
    • Check your freezers. Listeria can survive at freezing temperatures.
    • Throw them away or return them to where you bought them for a refund.
    • If you have any questions, contact the company at 845-668-4346 or info@softserveonthego.com (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5 pm EST).
  • Call a healthcare provider right away if you have these symptoms after eating the ice cream:
    • Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
    • People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

What Long-Term Care Facilities, Hospitals, and Businesses Should Do

  • Do not sell or serve “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups.

Listeria Symptoms  

  • Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. This is because Listeria is more likely to spread beyond their gut to other parts of their body, resulting in a severe condition known as invasive listeriosis.
    • For people who are pregnant, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn.
    • For people who are 65 years or older or who have a weakened immune system, Listeria often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.
  • Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.
    • Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
    • People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
  • For more information about Listeria, see the Listeria Questions and Answers page.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.