Ice Cream Sold Nationwide Recalled Over Possible Listeria

It’s summertime, so, of course many of us will be getting our hands on some ice cream. And if you’re one who prefers keeping a carton or two at home then you don’t want to miss this. According to a June 24 notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 13 different brands of ice cream sold nationwide are being recalled. Totally Cool, Inc. of Owings Mills, Maryland, initiated the recall due to concerns about potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. According to a separate document published by the FDA, the recall impacts several pints of sorbet and ice cream, as well as different ice cream cakes, cones, and sandwiches from 13 brands. What Ice Cream Brands Are Being Recalled Nationwide? The notice says that products from 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 FDA document includes a complete list of specific items and affected posts. It’s worth noting that the recall does not impact any products other than those listed in the FDA document. Affected ice cream products were distributed nationwide, available at retail locations and through direct delivery. Following sampling that revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, the FDA confirmed that 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. Totally Cool, Inc. hasn't received reports of illnesses related to the recall, but consumers are instructed to return any recalled products to their place of purchase for a full refund. If you have any questions, the FDA asks that you reach out to Totally Cool, Inc. directly by phone 410-363-7801 or email [email protected]. What Is Listeria? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeria (listeriosis) is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened 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," the FDA warns. These symptoms can start a few days after you've eaten contaminated food or as many as 30 days after, according to the Mayo Clinic.