Dozens of Ice Cream Products Recalled for Listeria: Including Hershey and Friendly Brands

Is your favorite ice cream safe to eat? Recently, Hershey's and Friendly's were among the brands recalled for listeria worries. Totally Cool Inc., from Maryland, stopped making and selling their frozen treats. The FDA found listeria in their products. This bacteria can cause very bad food poisoning, mainly in kids and older people. The recall covers a wide range of treats, from ice cream cakes and cones to pints and sorbet.

Key Takeaways

• Totally Cool Inc., a Maryland-based manufacturer, initiated the ice cream recall.
• The recall involves over 70 ice cream products from brands like Hershey's, Friendly's, and Jeni's.
• FDA testing revealed potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
• No illnesses reported yet, but affected consumers should return products for a refund.
• Listeria poses severe health risks, particularly to young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.

Overview of the Ice Cream Recall

The recent ice cream recall has people worried. Many popular brands and flavors were affected. The recall happened because listeria monocytogenes was found in over 60 products from Totally Cool Inc.

Ice creams, cakes, pints, and more were recalled. The products were sold in stores and for delivery. People everywhere need to be careful, especially in states hit by the recall.

Brands Involved in the Recall

Here are some of the brands named in the recall:

• Friendly’s
• Hershey’s
• Cumberland Farms
• Dolcezza Gelato
• Jeni’s
• ChipWich
• The Frozen Farmer
• Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery
• Yelloh!
• Marco
• AMAFruits
• Taharka
• LaSalle

Specific products and batches were affected. This includes ice cream cakes, pints, and more. Every type of ice cream from these brands could be at risk.

Reason for the Recall

The FDA found listeria monocytogenes in ice cream samples. This bacteria is very harmful. It can be deadly for kids, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems.

Even though no one has gotten sick from it, Totally Cool Inc. took quick action. They stopped making and selling the risky products to keep everyone safe.

Extent of Distribution

The recall affects products all over the U.S. It includes stores and those that deliver. The products have "best by" dates ranging from May 20, 2024, to May 28, 2025.

Everyone in the U.S. should check the recall list. If you have any of these products, return them for a refund. It's important for everyone to know about the recall. This will help keep people safe, especially in affected states.

FDA Investigation and Findings

The FDA investigation looked into an ice cream recall. It found Listeria monocytogenes in products from Totally Cool, Inc. Quick action by health departments and the FDA was key in cutting the outbreak.

Sampling Results

Tests from the investigation found Listeria monocytogenes in the ice cream. Some people in Pennsylvania and New York got sick and went to the hospital. Luckily, no one has died yet. The latest sample was taken on June 29, 2023, showing this issue is recent.

Safety Measures Implemented

Totally Cool Inc. stopped making and selling the affected ice cream right away. They began using strict cleaning rules to keep things clean. Now, the FDA is checking all ice cream closely. They want to make sure this doesn't happen again.

Health authorities are working hard to warn and protect people with updates on the recall.

Listeria Outbreak: Origins and Implications

Listeria monocytogenes is known for getting into our food, often through ice cream and causing listeriosis. Unfortunately, recalling 13 ice cream brands is the latest attempt to stop its spread.

History of Listeria Contaminations

Cases of listeria in ice cream are sadly not new. Back in August 2023, the Ice Cream House's products were linked to a listeria outbreak. Then, in November 2023, Wilcox Ice Cream and Leonardo's Gelato were recalled for the same reason. This highlights how listeria remains a big threat for causing food poisoning in the US. The issue is made worse by how widely these ice creams were distributed to stores.

Health Risks of Listeria

Listeriosis can cause serious symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and stomach problems. For high-risk groups like pregnant women, the danger is even greater. If a pregnant woman gets listeriosis, it can lead to very serious outcomes like miscarriages or death in newborns. Shockingly, nearly 87% of people who aren't pregnant with this disease need to go to the hospital, and one in six might die.

Older adults over 65 and those with weak immune systems are also at a higher risk from listeria. Symptoms can show up very quickly within two weeks or take more time, up to 10 weeks. This means finding it early with medical help is crucial.

Impact on Affected Ice Cream Brands

The recall of ice cream due to Listeria has hit major and small ice cream brands. It has led to more warnings for consumers. Also, companies in the recall are facing big challenges.

Hershey’s Recall Details

Hershey's recalled products like vanilla and chocolate ice cream cakes, cones, and sandwiches. These had specific codes and plant codes (24-0065 or 240065). Hershey's is working with the FDA to protect consumers and prevent health issues.

Friendly's Recall Details

Friendly's ice cream cakes were also part of the recall. After the FDA's notice, Friendly's quickly told consumers how to return these products. The brand aims to rebuild trust and keep strict safety rules.

List of Other Affected Ice Cream Brands

Many more brands beyond Hershey’s and Friendly's have been recalled by the FDA. This list includes:

• Yelloh!
• Jeni’s
• Cumberland Farms
• Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery
• The Frozen Farmer
• Marco
• ChipWich
• AMAFruits
• Taharka
• Dolcezza Gelato
• LaSalle

These brands face tough times because of the recall. People are told to return unsafe products. For these brands, regaining consumer trust is key. They will need to focus on food safety and customer belief in the future.

Consumer Advice and Public Health Warning

Ice cream products have been recalled due to Listeria, a harmful bacteria. You should check your freezers for these products. Food safety is key to avoid getting sick from them.

Listen to what the CDC and FDA say about this issue. If you have the recalled ice cream, get rid of it or take it back for a refund. This is especially important for pregnant women, seniors, and anyone with a weak immune system.

To keep yourself safe, here’s how to check ice cream for listeria recall:

• Look for the specific lot codes and best-before dates mentioned in the recall alerts.
• Stay informed by checking consumer reports for updates on recalled ice cream.
• If you have questions about ice cream you bought, reach out to the company, like Totally Cool Inc., for information.

The CDC says listeria symptoms can include fever, muscle pains, and feeling very tired. These signs can start up to two weeks after eating the contaminated ice cream. Staying alert is crucial because listeria can be very harmful, especially for certain groups.

Specific advice suggests cleaning any kitchen items that might have touched the recalled ice cream. Following guidelines from groups like the USDA and FDA is important. They issue recalls to keep us all safe.

Ice Cream Recall: What To Do If You Have Affected Products

If you bought one of the *recalled ice cream products*, like those from Jeni's, Hershey's, Chipwich, or Dolcezza, act fast. Listeria can cause severe harm, especially among the young, old, and those with weak immunity. To protect yourself, follow these steps:

1. Stop Consumption Immediately: Don't eat the product. It's wise to be cautious even if you just think it might be tainted.
2. Return or Dispose of the Product: Use the guidelines for returning recalled products. You can take it back where you bought it for a refund or throw it away as advised by Totally Cool Inc.
3. Monitor Your Health: Watch for symptoms like high fever, bad headache, nausea, and stomach pain. If you or someone you know gets these, see a doctor right away. Knowing how to treat a treatment for listeria infection can help a lot.
4. Report the Illness: If you get symptoms, tell your local health department by reporting illness from listeria exposure. This is key for stopping the outbreak and keeping everyone safe.

Everyday steps can help avoid listeria. Wash your hands often, keep your kitchen clean, and stay alert for any food safety news. It's also important to know *how long does listeria contamination last* and store food properly. Good choices at home can prevent health problems for you and your family.

Conclusion

The recent ice cream recall, affecting brands like Hershey's and Friendly's, shines a light on the value of watching out for food safety. The FDA plays a key role by quickly taking these products off the shelves to keep us safe.

Many ice cream items are involved, including vanilla and chocolate cakes and cones. Brands like Yelloh! and Cumberland Farms are among those affected. So far, no illnesses have been linked to this contamination, known as Listeria, which causes serious health issues.

Totally Cool, Inc., took quick and decisive actions post FDA testing, halting their products to avoid health issues. This action points out the crucial need for strict food safety practices and open communication to earn and keep our trust. People should keep an eye on updates and learn about Listeria to stay safe.

Looking back on this situation, it’s clear we must always be careful with food safety. The serious effects of Listeria and the efforts to avoid them highlight why we must keep food safety a top priority. This protects us from getting sick and keeps our food safe.

Source Links

• https://www.newsweek.com/ice-cream-products-recalled-nationwide-listeria-contamination-1916905 - Ice cream products recalled nationwide over contamination fears
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/06/25/company-behind-friendlys-jenis-hersheys-ice-cream-recalls-products-for-potential-listeria/ - Company Behind Friendly’s, Jeni’s, Hershey’s Ice Cream Recalls Products For Potential Listeria
• https://www.wfmj.com/story/50949608/large-ice-cream-recall-are-any-of-the-products-in-your-freezer - Large ice cream recall: Are any of these products in your freezer?
• https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-cream-recall-listeria-totally-cool/ - Totally Cool recalls over 60 ice cream products because they could contain listeria
• https://www.healthday.com/health-news/public-health/listeria-fears-spur-nationwide-ice-cream-recall - Listeria Fears Spur Nationwide Ice Cream Recall
• https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-ice-cream-august-2023 - Outbreak Investigation of Listeria: Ice Cream (August 2023)
• https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts - Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts
• https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks - Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks