Blue Bell Ice Creameries is voluntarily recalling mislabeled batches of Rocky Road ice cream pints produced in a Texas plant. Mainly because they could contain Cookies and Cream ice cream. The latter includes soy and wheat. Which may be a deadly allergenic compound for some people, as reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
There are no other health concerns related to the mispackaged lots of ice cream. With the exception for people who are allergic to soy or wheat, remarked the FDA. The error was discovered by a Blue Bell employee, while resupplying a retailer. However, no health issues related to the products have been reported to date.
“The pints can be identified as a Rocky Road pint with a Cookies ‘n Cream lid, and contain Cookies ‘n Cream Ice Cream. They can also be identified by the following code located on the bottom of the pint: 022918576. A picture of the affected product is included below.” said the FDA on Tuesday.
The mispackaged product has been distributed in retail outlets in Texas and Louisiana. While covering most convenience stores and supermarkets, said the FDA. Consumers affected can return products to the place of purchase in order to obtain a full refund.
Ice Cream is not safe from Listeria just yet
Early January 2016, Blue Bell reported that Listeria monocytogenes was found again in one of its Texas facilities. Last year, the company had to shut down some ice cream factories and stopped distribution in 25 states, after the deadly bacterium was found in some Blue Bell products.
For more information about the Blue Bell recall, consumers can call 979-836-7977, Monday – Friday 8am-5pm CST, as reported by the FDA.
Undeclared soy is the cause of many recalls and allergies in the United States
People with food allergies may be at risk of experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. The reaction can lead to constricted airways in the lungs, severe lowering of blood pressure and shock, and suffocation, said the FDA.
Every year, anaphylaxis is related to more than 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations and 150 deaths in the United States. Soybean is considered as the eighth major food allergen, from a list of 160 foods that can cause allergic reactions. 90 percent of allergic reactions in the country are caused by milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
The FDA announced Tuesday that Frontera Foods of Chicago is recalling 720 packages of its Frontera Texas Original Taco Skillet Sauce, since it contains undeclared soy. The sauce was distributed in 11 states, people allergic to soy may face risk of anaphylaxis when consuming this product.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration