Listeria Concerns Spark Recall Of Ice Cream From Friendly's, Hershey's

OWINGS MILLS, MD — Several popular brands of ice cream have been recalled due to a potential listeria contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday.

Totally Cool, Inc., which makes products for companies including Friendly's, Hershey's, and Cumberland Farms, has recalled several items because they could possibly contain Listeria monocytogenes.

The products were distributed nationwide and are available in stores and through direct delivery. The FDA provided a list with photos of the affected products, which can be identified through the date and plant information on the labels.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA. Although healthy people may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

No illnesses have been reported to date, though Totally Cool, Inc. has ceased the production and distribution of the affected products due to FDA sampling which discovered the presence of listeria monocytogenes.

"The company continues its investigation and is taking preventive actions," the FDA added. "No other products produced by Totally Cool, Inc. are impacted by this recall."

Consumers who recently purchased affected products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact Totally Cool, Inc. at 410-363- 7801 and [email protected] between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern from Monday to Friday, according to the FDA.