60+ Frozen Treats Recalled for Potential Listeria Risk—What Parents Should Know

Before you give that ice cream cone a lick, make sure it’s not on the list of products that could make you sick!

On June 24, 2024, the brand Totally Cool, Inc. (maker of frosty treats like the ChipWich and Friendly’s Celebration Cakes) announced that they are recalling multiple brands of ice cream products due to a potential listeria contamination. Listeria leads to a foodborne illness called listeriosis—one of the most serious types of food poisoning, and a particularly dangerous one for expecting parents and infants. In fact, pregnant people are 10 times more likely to get infected than others. 

Recalled Ice Cream Brands

The below brands were listed in Totally Cool, Inc’s recall. If you find a recalled product in your freezer, you can return it for a full refund—and for more questions email regulatory@totallycoolicecream.com. (See a full list of recalled products with images here.)

• Friendly’s
• Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery
• Hershey’s Ice cream
• Yelloh!
• Jeni’s
• Cumberland Farms
• The Frozen Farmer
• Marco
• ChipWich
• AMAFruits
• Taharka
• Dolcezza Gelato
• LaSalle

The Danger of Listeria 

Listeria may cause life-threatening infections, including meningitis (brain and spinal cord swelling) and bacteremia (bacteria in the blood). And in expecting parents it’s been known to cause stillbirth and miscarriage.  Signs of listeria in pregnant people may fly under the radar, often only including fever and vague flu-like symptoms, such as chills or headache. But even among those with minor symptoms, listeria can be passed to babies in utero, with devastating effects. Listeria infection in late pregnancy has been linked to intellectual disability, paralysis, seizures, blindness, or impairments of the brain, heart, or kidney. And in newborns, it can be fatal. Listeria symptoms in newborns include loss of appetite, fever, irritability, vomiting, and difficulty breathing—if you suspect listeria, call your child's doctor immediately.

How to Prevent Listeria

So first, the no-brainer: Steer clear of the contaminated products on the recall list!  But ice cream isn’t the only potential culprit. Listeria can be found in meat, poultry, seafood, unpasteurized dairy, and produce harvested from contaminated soil. Going forward, keep an eye on other recalls by bookmarking the FDA’s site for current food safety alerts. Additionally:

• Make sure all dairy products and fresh juices are “pasteurized” or “made with pasteurized milk”. The pasteurization process destroys dangerous microorganisms.
• Keep refrigerated products cold! And consume or toss within 3 to 5 weeks of purchase.
• Avoid pre-cut fruits and veggies unless it’s refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
• Skip sprouts, which can contain bacteria (even if rinsed or heated!)
• Make sure the fridge is set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and the freezer is at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared food, and leftovers within two hours of eating or prepping—or after one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after touching raw food. Also after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or touching animals.
• Rinse your produce before eating or prepping. But never rinse raw meat or poultry!
• Wash utensils, counters, and cutting boards with hot, soapy water after using them.
• Use a different cutting board for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
• Don’t thaw foods on the counter (use the fridge, microwave, or cold water). 
• Cover, stir, and rotate food in the microwave to make sure it’s thoroughly cooked.
• Make sure all cooked meats reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit and seafood reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit before serving to ensure its safety.

More on Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy and Food Poisoning in Pregnancy.

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REFERENCES

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Listeria - People at Risk – Pregnant Women and Newborns
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Listeria and Pregnancy
• Lancaster General Health: 7 Things to Know About Listeria and Pregnancy
• March of Dimes: Food Poisoning During Pregnancy
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Totally Cool Inc. Recalls All Ice Cream Products Because of Possible Health Risk
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Listeria Food Safety for Moms-to-Be
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Totally Cool Inc. Recalls All Ice

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.