Ice cream sold in more than a dozen states has been urgently recalled due to a risk of life-threatening allergic reactions.
Blue Bell Ice Cream is voluntarily recalling a small batch of its Moo-llennium Crunch Ice Cream half gallons due to the presence of almonds, walnuts, and/or pecans that were inadvertently omitted from the ingredient label.
These undisclosed nuts present a significant risk to the millions who suffer from nut allergies, which can lead to reactions ranging from mild, such as hives and swelling, to severe, like anaphylaxis—a potentially fatal condition that causes breathing difficulties.
According to the FDA, individuals with allergies or severe sensitivities to almonds, walnuts, and pecans are at risk of experiencing a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
The affected ice cream was manufactured in Brenham, Texas and was inadvertently packaged into Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream cartons but topped with a Moo-llennium Crunch lid. A Blue Bell employee identified the packaging mistake while organizing stock at a retail location.
These recalled items have been distributed to retail locations in Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, Arkansas, Northwest Georgia, Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Southwest Virginia.
Consumers can recognize the impacted product as Moo-llennium Crunch Ice Cream in a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough half gallon container, marked with a Moo-llennium Crunch lid and a lid code of 061027524.
No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date, and there have been no other packaging errors reported.
Blue Bell has recalled ‘a limited quantity’ of ice cream over the potential presence of undeclared allergens (stock image)
Pictured above is one of the recalled Blue Bell products
About 10million Americans have a nut allergy, with peanut and tree nuts like walnuts and almonds making up about one in three of those.
Symptoms of an allergy include hives, wheezing, coughing, congestion, face and throat swelling and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
This is a life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs very quickly after being exposed to an allergen.
Experts estimate 150 to 200 Americans die from allergen-induced anaphylaxis every year.
It triggers an extreme immune response, leading to dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath and vomiting.
If not treated quickly with epinephrine (adrenaline), which can be administered via injection like an EpiPen or nasal spray, a person can die.
The FDA has not given the recall a designation, though it could be classified as Class I, the most serious, due to the life-threatening risks.
A Class I recall describes ‘a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,’ according to the FDA.
The FDA urged customers who purchased the recalled products to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Consumers can call 979-836-7977 or email consumerrelations@bluebell.com for more information.
