Washington, D.C. – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially identified “On the Go” ice cream cups as the source of a recent outbreak of foodborne illnesses. The ice cream, produced by Real Kosher Ice Cream, a manufacturer based in Brooklyn, New York, has been confirmed to be tainted with the identical strain of Listeria monocytogenes that was discovered in samples obtained from two affected individuals. These patients, located in separate instances in both New York and Pennsylvania, experienced severe illness necessitating hospitalization.
Prompted by established connections between the afflicted individuals and Real Kosher Ice Cream’s products, the company initiated a recall of specific ice cream items earlier this month.
In a statement released yesterday, the FDA verified the presence of Listeria monocytogenes matching the genetic profile of the strain found in the patients’ samples. This discovery was made during comprehensive testing conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which revealed the strain in an unopened sample of the implicated ice cream.
Additionally, the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets independently detected the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in five finalized samples of “Soft Serve On the Go” ice cream cups retrieved from Real Kosher Ice Cream’s manufacturing facility.
The confirmation by the FDA reinforces concerns about food safety and the importance of rigorous quality control within the food production industry. As investigations continue, affected consumers are advised to adhere to the recall instructions provided by Real Kosher Ice Cream to prevent further exposure to potential health risks. The FDA remains vigilant in its commitment to safeguarding public health and maintaining the integrity of the food supply chain.
