Health
Thirteen US Ice Cream Brands Recalled for Listeria Fears
Clear Facts
- Thirteen ice cream brands sold across the U.S. are currently being recalled amid concerns over potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to a notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The recall encompasses a variety of ice cream and sorbet products, including cakes, cones, and sandwiches, from brands such as Totally Cool, Inc., Friendly’s, Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, Hershey’s, and more.
- Listeria is a microbe that can lead to serious, sometimes fatal infections, particularly in children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms – which can appear anywhere from a few days to 30 days post-exposure – include fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
There’s arguably nothing more refreshing than a cool scoop of ice cream on a sweltering summer’s day. While some delight in the tradition of visiting the local ice cream parlor, others cherish the convenience of having their favorite flavors stocked in the home freezer. However, a recent FDA notice means you might need to double-check what’s stashed in your icebox.
On June 24, the FDA issued a notice advising that thirteen different ice cream brands sold across the country are being recalled.
Maryland-based company Totally Cool, Inc. initiated this recall out of concerns about potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall affects many types of sorbet, ice cream products, and even some ice cream cakes, cones, and sandwiches from these brands.
Products from the Friendly’s, Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, Hershey’s Ice Cream, Yelloh!, Jeni’s, Cumberland Farms, The Frozen Farmer, Marco, ChipWich, AMAFruits, Taharka, Dolcezza Gelato, and LaSalle brands were pulled.
The Listeria concerns prompted Totally Cool, Inc to halt the production and distribution of the affected products. They are also taking preventative measures as the FDA continues its investigation.
Following sampling that revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Totally Cool, Inc. ceased the production and distribution of the affected products. The company is also taking preventive actions while the FDA continues its investigation.
Listeria, according to medical professionals, can result in “serious and sometimes fatal infections” in children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems.
Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women, warns the FDA.
No illnesses related to the recall have been reported to Totally Cool, Inc. at this time. Nevertheless, consumers are urged to return any recalled products to their place of purchase for a full refund.
This is not the first time ice cream has been the subject of a Listeria scare. As recently as November 2023, Wilcox Ice Cream had to recall all flavors of its ice cream, yogurt, and ice cream bars, as well as Leonardo’s brand gelato, due to possible bacterial contamination.
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