In the past two months, there have been a dozen recalls of ice cream and other products for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. These are all secondary recalls, which means that these products were made in a contract supplier’s facility where Listeria was found, or they were made with products recalled for possible Listeria contamination.
It can be difficult to keep track of all of these recalls. So, as we have done in the past with other massive recalls, we are keeping a list of the recalled products in one place so you can check back and stay informed.
The first group of recalled products is ice cream made at Dr. Bob’s of Upland LLC. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria was found at that facility. In all of the secondary recall notices for these products, no Listeria bacteria was found in the actual ice cream products, but they are being recalled because there is zero tolerance for this pathogenic bacteria in ready to eat products and out of an abundance of caution. The second group is ice cream and a snack bar made with cookie dough produced by Aspen Hills, which notified the companies that some of their product could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of any of these products, but listeriosis can take up to 70 days to appear after a person is exposed. We will keep you informed if illnesses do get reported to public health officials. These recalls are listed in the order of the date they were reported, from most recent to least.
Weight Watchers recalled their Smart Ones Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sundae frozen dessert because it contained Aspen Hills cookie dough products on November 14, 2016.
Ashby’s Sterling Peanut Butter Landslide ice cream was recalled on November 11, 2016 because it contained cookie dough from Aspen Hills.
Cedar Crest recalled three flavors of its ice cream because it contained Aspen Hills cookie dough on November 11, 2016.
Agave Dream recalled pint size ice creams in five flavors on November 10, 2016 because it was produced in the Dr. Bob’s of Upland facility.
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream expands its recall of products containing Aspen Hills cookie dough on November 10, 2016.
ISB Food Group also recalled L.A. Creamery ice cream in two flavors on November 9, 2016. Those products were made by Dr. Bob’s of Upland.
ISB Food Group recalled Nancy’s Fancy Gelato in two flavors on November 9, 2016 because it was made in Dr. Bob’s of Upland.
McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams recalled seven varieties of ice cream in pints on November 4, 2016 for possible Listeria because it was produced in Dr. Bob’s of Upland.
AC Creamery recalled Manila Sky Purple Yumm Ice Cream on November 2, 2016 because it was made in Dr. Bob’s of Upland.
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company recalled products made with Aspen Hill cookie dough pieces on October 11, 2016.
Nutrisystem recalled Nutricrush Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar that contained the Aspen Hills product on October 11, 2016.
Blue Bell expanded their recall of products made with Aspen Hills cookie dough on October 10, 2016 to include Blue Bell Blue Monster, Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie, and Blue Bell Krazy Kookie Dough.
Blue Bunny recalled its Hoppin’ Holidoodle ice cream because it contained snickerdoodle cookie dough pieces made by Aspen Hills on October 10, 2016.
Publix recalled Premium Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream because it contained the Aspen Hill products on October 10, 2016.
Blue Bell recalled their Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Two Step ice creams on September 21, 2016 because they contained the Aspen Hills products.
If you did buy any of these products, you can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. You should then clean out your freezer, refrigerator, or pantry, depending on where the items were stored, with a mild bleach solution to kill Listeria bacteria. This bacteria is very hardy and is difficult to eradicate. It can grow at refrigerator temperatures, and freezing does not kill it.
If you ate any of these recalled products, monitor yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days. Those symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Other people may have flu-like symptoms. Pregnant women need to be especially vigilant, because listeriosis can cause miscarriage and stillbirth, even though the woman may only be mildly sick. If you do get sick, see your doctor.
