Food recalls are generally more inconvenient than dangerous for consumers, but every once in a while, they can be deadly.
That’s the case with a widespread pasta salad recall that has so far left six people dead.
So far, in just the past month, according to the FDA, major food recalls include:
- First & Last Marinara Sauce, Puttanesca Sauce, and Meat Flavored Pasta Sauce were recalled due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum and were distributed in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
- Supreme Product Peach Salsa faced a recall due to potential contamination with listeria and was distributed at Kroger locations in Illinois, Colorado, Georgia, Washington, Indiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oregon, and Michigan.
- Zingerman’s Peanut Butter Crush and Ca$hew Cow candy bars were recalled in Michigan and New York due to the presence of undeclared nuts.
- Kenz Henz eggs were recalled for potential salmonella contamination and were distributed in Texas.
- Deli Express Pulled Pork Sandwiches were recalled due to contamination with plastic particles and were distributed across the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Guam.
Now, Dreyer’s, parent company of Häagen-Dazs, is recalling one of its most popular desserts.
Why the Häagen-Dazs recall is happening
Dreyer’s said the issue related to the recall likely occurred when some Häagen-Dazs mini ice cream bars were mistakenly “repacked into the incorrect packaging at the beginning of a production run.” The products could contain wheat, which can be life-threatening to people with wheat allergies.
The leading cause of food recalls is undeclared allergens, such as when ingredients including wheat, peanuts, eggs, soy, or shellfish are mistakenly included in a product.
Related: Costco urgently recalls Foster Farms product sold nationwide
Microbial contamination is another problem, such as when pathogen like salmonella, E. coli, or listeria gets into a food. When the food becomes contaminated with foreign material (like glass or plastic) or chemicals (such as cleaning products), it can also be recalled.
If anyone in your household is allergic to wheat, check to see if you have Häagen-Dazs mini ice cream bars in your freezer.
Affected product: Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars
Where the ice cream was sold: The affected products were distributed in Kroger stores in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. They were also sold in Giant Eagle stores in Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Batch code: LLA519501
“Best by” date: Jan. 31, 2027
How to dispose of the recalled Häagen-Dazs ice cream
This recall is voluntary, meaning Dreyer’s immediately published the recall as soon as it became aware of the production problem.
Consumers with wheat allergies or sensitivities are advised not to consume the ice cream bars and should either dispose of them or return them to the store for a full refund.
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“We are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on this voluntary recall and will cooperate with them fully,” according to a company statement on the FDA website.
Consumers with questions may contact Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. at dreyers@casupport.com.
Related: Voluntary vs. mandatory food recalls: what you should know
