Ice Cream Recall In 23 States After Possible Listeria Contamination
Millions of ice cream bars distributed in schools and businesses across 23 states have been recalled amid possible listeria contamination, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning of “adverse health consequences” should someone consume the affected product.
Why It Matters
Rich’s Ice Cream products are available in schools and businesses in 23 states. On its website, the Florida-based ice cream company says it only ships “to large wholesale ice cream distributors all over the US.”
“These distributors then sell our ice cream to schools and businesses in their local market,” the website said.
Newsweek reached out to Rich’s Ice Cream by email for comment outside of normal business hours on Monday.
What to Know
Numerous flavors of Rich’s Ice Cream have been pulled from store shelves amid possible listeria contamination. In total, 110,292 cases of ice cream were recalled, with 96 units in each case resulting in more than 10 million bars of ice cream impacted. Lot numbers 24351 through 25156 were included in the recall.
A stock photo of an ice cream bar.
bombermoon/Getty
The ice cream was distributed to 23 states, including California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Alabama, Illinois, Missouri, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Iowa, South Carolina, Oregon, Oklahoma, Nevada, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, as well as Nassau and the Bahamas.
Listeriosis is a bacterial infection that can occur after consuming food contaminated by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening, according to a report by the Cleveland Clinic, and are particularly dangerous for those who are pregnant or who have a weakened immune system.
Foods that can be contaminated by Listeria include hot dogs, deli meats, and soft cheese. Symptoms can include fever, headache, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. It can take as long as two weeks for symptoms to appear after consuming a contaminated product, the Cleveland Clinic reported.
When was the recall issued?
Rich’s Ice Cream voluntarily issued the recall on June 27, according to the FDA report. On July 17, the FDA classified the recall as a Class II, meaning that exposure to the product could cause “adverse health consequences.”
Which products were recalled? Full List
Products affected by the recall include the following varieties:
- Chocolate Crunch Cake Bar
- Strawberry Shortcake Bar
- Rich Bar
- Crumbled Cookie Bar
- Orange Cream Bar
- Fudge Frenzy Bar
- Cotton Candy Twirl Bar
- Savagely Sour BlueRaspberry Bar
- Savagely Sour Cherry Bar
- Cool Watermelon Bar
What People Are Saying
The FDA, in an online definition, about Class II recalls: “A situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
Rich’s Ice Cream on its webpage: “Our products are available in schools and on street vending trucks (a.k.a. “the ice cream man”) all across the country.”
What Happens Next
The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA. Instructions on how to contact the company or if refunds would be offered were not included in the recall.
