Ice cream products recalled over possible listeria contamination

Millions of Americans will need to find an alternative treat this summer as Totally Cool Inc., a Maryland-based company, recalls multiple brands of ice cream products sold nationwide due to potential listeria contamination. The recall affects products from brands such as Hershey’s, Friendly’s, Chipwich, and Jeni’s, including pints of ice cream and sorbet, as well as ice cream cakes, sandwiches, cones, and more.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported no illnesses so far but detected the presence of listeria during sampling. Totally Cool has halted production and distribution of the products and is investigating the issue while taking preventative actions.

Consumers who purchased any of the recalled items are urged to return them for a full refund. Affected products can be identified by the date and plant codes on the labels.

The FDA warns that Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant individuals. Healthy people may experience milder symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1,600 people in the U.S. are infected with listeriosis annually, with approximately 260 fatalities.

The list of more than 60 affected products can be found here.