Listeria multistate outbreak linked to Soft Serve On The Go & Ice Cream House ice cream

United States

####Update October 26, 2023

CDC announced that this outbreak is over, as of October 26, 2023. To this date, a total of 2 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from two states: New York (1) and Pennsylvania (1). Both sick people have been hospitalized and no deaths were reported. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data showed that ice cream made by The Ice Cream House of Brooklyn, NY, made people sick.

On August 9, 2023, Real Kosher Ice Cream recalled all flavors of "Soft Serve On The Go" ice cream cups.

On August 30, 2023, The Ice Cream House recalled all their dairy ice cream and non-dairy frozen dessert products with the "Ice Cream House" logo.

Source: CDC

Update September 01, 2023

The outbreak strain of Listeria was found in a second brand of ice cream: "Ice Cream House" brand. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found the outbreak strain of Listeria in an "Ice Cream House" mini dessert cigar novelty ice cream product and several environmental samples taken from The Ice Cream House. "Ice Cream House" products and "Soft Serve On The Go" ice cream cups are made at the same facility.

On August 30, 2023, The Ice Cream House recalled all their dairy ice cream and non-dairy frozen dessert products with the "Ice Cream House" logo, including Ice cream and sorbet Cakes, logs, pies, and novelty items, these products were sold at Ice Cream House store locations in Brooklyn, NY and Grocery stores in New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.

The investigation is ongoing.

Source: CDC

Update August 22, 2023

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA continue investigating this outbreak linked to "Soft Serve On The Go" ice cream cups.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture found the outbreak strain of Listeria in an unopened "Soft Serve On The Go" vanilla chocolate ice cream cup that the sick person had in their freezer, and, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets found the outbreak strain of Listeria in five "Soft Serve On The Go" ice cream cups that were collected from Real Kosher Ice Cream's manufacturing location.

No additional illnesses have been reported. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: CDC

August 10, 2023

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA are investigating a Listeria monocytogenes multistate outbreak linked to "Soft Serve On The Go" ice cream cups produced by Real Kosher Ice Cream. As of August 10, 2023, 2 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from two states: New York (1) and Pennsylvania (1). Both sick people have been hospitalized, and neither died. Sick people's samples were collected in May and June 2023.

State and local public health officials from Pennsylvania and New York interviewed people (or their family) about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. One sick person bought "Soft Serve On The Go" ice cream cups from a grocery store, and the other person likely ate the same ice cream cup at a long-term care facility they were living in. The investigation is ongoing.

On August 9, 2023, Real Kosher Ice Cream recalled all flavors of "Soft Serve On The Go" ice cream cups. Flavors include Vanilla chocolate, Caramel, Parve vanilla chocolate, Peanut butter lite, Razzle, and Sorbet strawberry mango. Sold nationwide at many types of stores, including Grocery stores, Convenience stores and Canteens. These products were distributed by Real Kosher Ice Cream to businesses and institutions, including Long-term care facilities, Nursing homes, Schools, Camps, and were distributed internationally to Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United Kingdom.

Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled ice cream. Businesses and institutions, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, school, and camps, should not sell or serve "Soft Serve On The Go" ice cream cups.

Source: www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/ice-cream-08-23/index.html