Urgent Ice Cream Recalls: What You Need to Know About Hidden Allergens

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced recalls for Friendly’s, Blue Bell, and Ice Cream Factory ice creams due to packaging mix-ups that left out critical allergen warnings. These mistakes could be dangerous for people with allergies to soy, wheat, or nuts. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s happening and what you should do, based on the FDA’s official announcements.

Friendly’s has recalled 324 cartons of its 48 fl. oz. Vanilla Bean Ice Cream because they were mistakenly filled with Cookies & Cream ice cream. The problem? The labels don’t mention soy or wheat, which are major allergens that can cause serious reactions like hives, swelling, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. These cartons, sporting a Cookies & Cream lid with a “Best By” date of November 26, 2025, went to stores in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. If you or someone in your family has a soy or wheat allergy, this is a big deal. DFA Dairy Brands, which makes Friendly’s, is asking folks to return these cartons to the store for a full refund. You can call them at 800-587-2259 if you have questions.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official recall announcements

Blue Bell Creameries is pulling its Moo-llennium Crunch Ice Cream from shelves in 16 states, including Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Illinois, after a packaging error. The ice cream, which contains almonds, walnuts, and pecans, was packed in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cartons that don’t list these nuts on the label. For someone with a nut allergy, this could be a scary surprise. The affected cartons have a lid code of 061027524. No one has reported getting sick yet, but Blue Bell is urging customers to return these products to the store for a refund to stay safe. Check their website for more details.

The Ice Cream Factory in Mount Vernon, NY, is recalling 40 pints, 8 quarts, and 3 half-gallons of its Vanilla G.Nutt Ice Cream because it might contain almonds not listed on the label. This ice cream went to Golden Krust stores in Mount Vernon and White Plains, NY, and Farm Country Supermarket in Queens, NY. Look for UPC codes 856781003613 (pints), 856781003620 (quarts), or 856781003637 (half-gallons), with an expiration date of March 2027. If you’re allergic to tree nuts, this could cause a serious reaction. The company says the issue came from a glitch in their production process. You can return the ice cream for a refund or swap it for another flavor. Reach out to Rudy Guerrino at 914-441-9598, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, if you need help.

(Rh/VK)