Fears of Listeria in cookie dough from Aspen Hills force ice cream recalls

Publix, Wells Enterprises, Blue Bell and Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Co. recall ice cream made with cookie dough pieces supplied by Aspen Hills.

Aspen Hills cookie dough ice cream recall

The Baked Bear brand of ice cream made by Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Co. and cookie dough ice cream made by Blue Bell are among those recalled because of inclusions supplied by Aspen Hills, Garner, Iowa, might be contaminated with Listeria.

At least four ice cream processors recalled their product this week due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes from
cookie dough inclusions from ingredient supplier Aspen Hills of Garner, Iowa.

On Monday, Oct. 10, Publix Super Markets, Lakeland, Fla., said that some of their ice cream products could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes from cookie dough pieces supplied by Aspen Hills. Publix issued a voluntary recall for Publix Premium Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream.

That same day, Wells Enterprises, Le Mars, Iowa, and Blue Bell Ice Cream, Brenham, Texas, issued voluntary recalls for the same reason. The next day, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Madison, Wis., said its products were similarly affected. None of the ice cream companies reported any illnesses related to the recalled products.

Also on Oct. 11, Nutrisystem Everyday LLC, Fort Washington, Pa., voluntarily recalled the Nutricrush Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar, manufactured by Noble Foods Inc. because the chocolate chip cookie dough ingredient supplied by a third party supplier might potentially contain Listeria monocytogenes. The supplier was not named in the recall notice.

Wells Enterprises voluntarily recalled two lots of Blue Bunny Hoppin’ Holidoodle ice cream sold at retail outlets, because they contain snickerdoodle cookie dough pieces recalled by Aspen Hills. In its recall notice, Blue Bell said its products on the shelf have passed the company’s test-and-hold program, which requires that finished product samples from a batch test negative for Listeria monocytogenes before the batch can be released. “Blue Bell is initiating this recall out of an abundance of caution. This recall is being conducted in cooperation with the FDA,” according to the statement.

**What are the effects of Listeria monocytogenes?**

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according the recall notice. Although healthy individuals 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.

What specific ice cream products have been recalled?

See the Food & Drug Administration’s recall notice webpage for information about affected batches and lot numbers.

Nestle recalled products last week because of Listeria concern

Last week, Nestlé USA initiated a voluntary recall of its Nestlé Drumsticks after Listeria monocytogenes was found on equipment contact surfaces in its production facility.

Snoqualmie Ice Cream CEO writes how his company survived a Listeria recall

The Washington state ice cream company destroyed over 300,000 pounds of ice cream. Losses were well over $1 million. The CEO calls the recall ‘devastating, stressful yet incredibly meaningful.’ Read his first-person account written for dairyfoods.com.