In late June 2022, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), CDC, public and regulatory officials in other states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced an outbreak of Listeria infections associated with consumption of Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream. A total of 28 people with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 11 states. Fourteen sick people were residents of Florida, and 11 reported traveling to Florida before getting sick. Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 24, 2021 through August 9, 2022. Twenty seven of the 28 ill people had been hospitalized. One death was reported by Illinois.

Seven illnesses were reported among pregnant people or newborns. One illness resulted in a pregnancy loss.

Public health officials interviewed people about foods they consumed in the month before they got sick. Of the 23 people interviewed, all reported eating ice cream. Sixteen reported eating Big Olaf Creamery brand ice cream or eating ice cream at locations that had been supplied by Big Olaf. Ten ill people were identified as part of four illness clusters in this outbreak.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) collected samples of ice cream and environmental samples from the ice cream production area at the Big Olaf Creamery facility in Sarasota, Florida. FDACS also performed WGS on these samples, and the Florida Department of Health identified the outbreak strain in the samples collected from the ice cream and the environment

On July 13, 2022, Big Olaf Creamery LLC recalled all flavors, lots, and expiration dates of Big Olaf brand ice cream through June 30, 2022.

The outbreak was declared over on November 2, 2022.