“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 reported in the media and what the company has posted on its social media, it looks like they continue to ship and make the product.”
“For now, it is only speculation as it is an ongoing investigation. Our brand has not been confirmed to be linked to these cases,” the company wrote on Facebook. “I am not sure why only Big Olaf is being mentioned and targeted,” adding that “nothing has been proven” and that it has been cooperating with state and federal authorities.
According to the company’s website, there are 15 authorized Big Olaf creameries in Florida. The product is also sold at Senior homes, restaurants, fairs, and supermarkets.
Mary Billman’s family is suing Big Olaf after she passed away from listeria 11 days after consuming tainted ice cream. Another woman is suing the company after she claims that eating the ice cream caused her to miscarry her baby.
According to government reports, all but one of the 23 confirmed victims were hospitalized with severe symptoms.
Big Olaf says “every tub” of its ice cream is “hand mixed with the finest ingredients and is then churned in batch freezers by local Amish Craftsmen,” according to its website. “The smooth, creamery consistency comes from two sources: attention to detail, and fresh, high butter fat (14%) milk.”