Over 60 Ice Cream Products Recalled Nationwide Due to Listeria Concerns

More than 60 ice cream products from various popular brands across the U.S. have been subjected to a widespread recall due to potential listeria contamination. This recall, initiated by Totally Cool Inc. based in Owings Mills, Md., encompasses a range of frozen treats including pints of ice cream, sorbet, cakes, sandwiches, and cones.

Among the impacted brands are household names such as Hershey's, Friendly’s, Chipwich, and Jeni’s. The recall was prompted by FDA sampling that identified the presence of listeria in the products. Fortunately, there have been no reported illnesses linked to the contaminated ice cream as of now.

Totally Cool Inc. promptly ceased the production and distribution of the affected items following the FDA’s detection of listeria. The company is actively investigating the root cause of contamination and has implemented precautionary measures to address the issue. It is important to note that no other products from Totally Cool are implicated in this recall.

Crave Better Foods LLC, the parent company of Chipwich, maintains a separate production line within the same facility in Maryland as Totally Cool. Chipwich, in response to the recall, expressed regret over the situation and emphasized that the recall was conducted as a proactive measure to safeguard both the product and its loyal consumers.

Hershey’s Ice Cream, another prominent brand affected by the recall, has ceased the sale of the potentially contaminated products in accordance with FDA guidelines. The company has advised consumers and retailers to discard any recalled items they may have in possession.

Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria of concern, can lead to severe and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Pregnant individuals infected with listeria are at risk of experiencing miscarriages or stillbirths. The CDC estimates that about 1,600 people are affected by listeria each year, with around 260 resulting in fatalities.