Just in time for summer, the FDA has announced a recall of more than 70 different ice cream products over possible listeria contamination.
Some of the brands affected by the recall include Hershey's, Friendly's, Chipwich, Jeni's and LeSalle. The products are all linked to Maryland-based manufacturer Totally Cool, Inc.
A recall notice said the contamination was discovered during sampling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
The recalled products were distributed nationwide, and available in retail locations and direct delivery. The list of items includes ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, sundae cones and pints of ice cream, gelato and sorbet. Click here for a full list of items with pictures.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The FDA said Totally Cool has ceased the production and distribution of the affected products. The agency did not mention how the products may have been contaminated but said the company is continuing to investigate.
Consumers with recalled products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Listeria is one of the causes of food poisoning. It can also cause listeriosis, a serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
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Symptoms of listeriosis usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of a listeria infection.
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