Ice Cream and Listeria

Do you love ice cream? You might want to check the brand before you dig in. Fieldbrook Foods, a dairy company, announced a massive recall of ice cream, due to possible listeria contamination. The brand’s recall affects “raspberry, orange cream and chocolate-coated vanilla bars” sold in over 30 stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including Kroger, Safeway, Aldi, and dozens of other name brand stores.

The ice cream bars were made in 2017 at the company’s Dunkirk, N.Y. plan on the Hoyer 1 line. According to the company, “routine testing discovered Listeria monocytogenes in a few ice cream bars and during subsequent sampling. Production and distribution of all items manufactured on that line have been halted.” According to USA Today, “The recall began on Jan. 5 with Tops Orange Cream Bars sold in Tops stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont and Purple Cow Orange Cream Bars sold at Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. Four days later, Fieldbrook Foods expanded the recall to include all orange cream bars and chocolate coated vanilla ice cream bars made on the affected production line. On Thursday, Fieldbrook Foods added raspberry cream bars.”

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, listeria may cause serious infection, and/or death. The infection is most likely to sicken people with weakened immune systems, including pregnant women, and their fetus or newborn, and adults aged 65 or older. Symptoms of Listeriosis usually consist of fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. More severe symptoms may include meningitis, mental changes, brain abscesses, or death.

People are exposed to Listeria bacteria if they ingest contaminated food or fluid. In this case, ice cream bars are the culprit. A food we give to our children for a sweet treat. I urge you to look at the warning signs of listeria contamination and seek immediate medical attention if you develop any symptoms.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of Listeriosis, contact an experienced attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or toll free at 713-222-7211.