Listeria Infection in Pregnant Women a Real Threat as Mom Sues Florida Ice Creamery for Her Miscarriage

The threat of listeria infection in pregnant women is the focus of a lawsuit filed by a Massachusetts mom against Big Olaf Creamery, who is suing the Florida company for her miscarriage.

In May 2022, Kristen Hopkins experienced baby loss on the 11th week of her pregnancy. She was visiting Florida for a family wedding and recalled eating ice cream from Big Olaf Creamery at Beverly's Ice Cream store, also named in the lawsuit.

A week later, Hopkins was back at her home when she had episodes of mild cramping and a feeling of persistent indigestion. She woke up shivering one morning and looked pale, prompting her husband, Frank Imbruglia, to bring her to the hospital.

Doctors told the couple that their baby was already dead and that Hopkins was positive for listeriosis, per the New York Post.

Listeria outbreak at Big Olaf Creamery

Around the time of Hopkins's visit to Florida, the ice cream company was calling its customers, distributors, and retailers following a possible listeria outbreak that had contaminated their products. Since September 2021, more than 24 people have been hospitalized after eating Big Olaf Creamery products, but a specific dessert was not yet been identified.

In July 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a product recall had been issued for all Big Olaf Creamery products with a June 30 expiration date. The CDC specifically stated that the risk of listeria infection is high among pregnant people due to their compromised immune systems.

Pregnant women showing symptoms of listeriosis may experience diarrhea or upset stomach, alongside fever, chills, and muscle aches. The symptoms may crop up even two months after the infection. It may also be possible for a pregnant women not to show symptoms at all, but the infection may have already passed on to their fetus.

Moms who suspect they have contracted listeria must go to their doctor for a blood test. As listeria could be treated, they may be prescribed antibiotics safe for their child.

There are cases of babies surviving listeria infection during pregnancy, but they could be born with serious health issues like paralysis, blindness, seizures, intellectual disability, and problems with organs like the heart, kidneys, or brain. Newborn babies born with listeriosis might not survive as well, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

The ACOG advised pregnant moms not to eat unpasteurized milk and foods, refrigerated pâté, meat spreads or smoked seafood, unwashed raw produce, and hotdogs or luncheon meats that have not been steamed hot or cooked.

Kristen Hopkins' health continues to deteriorate

Hopkins, who was discharged on June 17 after her miscarriage, has not yet completely recovered. According to Daily Mail, she has a home health nurse tending to her.

The mom, who has two daughters under five years old, said in her complaint that she is "emotionally distraught" over the loss of her third child. She is also worried that the listeria may have affected her fertility. While in the hospital, doctors gave Hopkins and her husband the worst-case scenario and said she might need a hysterectomy if her condition did not improve.

Hopkin's lawsuit is the second against Big Olaf Creamery. In July, the family of Mary Billman, a senior adult, sued the company for her death. Aside from pregnant women, individuals above 65 years old are also vulnerable to listeria infection.