Ice-Cream Recall from Multiple Brands with Potential Listeria Contamination

By: May Man Published: Jun 26, 2024

An extensive recall has been initiated by a major ice cream manufacturer due to potential listeria contamination, as announced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Totally Cool, Inc., based in Owings Mills, Maryland, has recalled products from over a dozen brands.

Possible Health Risk

These include Friendly’s, Hershey’s Ice Cream, Jeni’s, and the Frozen Farmer, citing a “possible health risk,” according to the FDA.

A scoop being inserted into a container of vanilla ice cream, with the ice cream showing a creamy texture

Source: Dovile Ramoskaite/Unsplash

So far, there have been no reported illnesses, the FDA noted in its alert on Monday.

FDA’s Statement

“Totally Cool, Inc. has ceased the production and distribution of the affected products due to FDA sampling which discovered the presence of Listeria monocytogenes,” the FDA stated.

An FDA sign seen in front of a building.

Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

“The company continues its investigation and is taking preventive actions. No other products produced by Totally Cool, Inc. are impacted by this recall.”

Which Products Are Affected?

ABC News has contacted Totally Cool for comments.

four different flavors of ice cream in cones

Source: frimufilms, Freepik

The complete list of recalled products is available here.

What Should Consumers Do?

These products were distributed nationwide, accessible in retail stores and via direct delivery.

The aisle of a large grocery store stocked with products on the shelves

Source: Franki Chamaki/Unsplash

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are advised to return them for a full refund or dispose of them.

Taharka Brothers

Taharka Brothers Ice Cream was one of the affected brands.

Source: FDA

They disclosed that it had outsourced the production of two popular flavors—honey graham and key lime pie—to Totally Cool.

Cautionary Action

“While no listeria has been detected in our ice cream, or any of the ice cream produced at Totally Cool, the FDA is requiring a full recall out of an abundance of caution,” Taharka stated.

Source: valeria_aksakova, Freepik

“The company plans to begin producing the two flavors at its own facility “immediately.”

Chipwich

Chipwich is also among the brands affected by the recall.

Source: FDA

Crave Better Foods announced on Monday that it operates a separate production line at the Totally Cool facility.

Ice-Cream Cookie Sandwiches Recalled

Crave Better Foods voluntarily recalled its vanilla chocolate chip Chipwich ice cream cookie sandwiches.

Source: Wikimedia

They said the recall was “out of an abundance of caution and care for the product and its loyal fans.”

Totally Cool Issued a Notice

Crave Better Foods reported receiving notice from the Totally Cool facility.

Source: Freepik

A “possible health issue” on a production line used for frozen ice cream cakes was their explanation.

Effects of Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes can be deadly.

Source: prostooleh, Freepik

The FDA stated that it can be “serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,”.

Symptoms To Look Out For

Symptoms of listeria infection include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Mother using the back of her hand to check her daughter’s temperature while she lays in bed with a teddy bear

Source: Freepik

For pregnant women, listeria infection can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.