State health dept. shares ice cream recall

CONCORD — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services is advising consumers of a recall from Totally Cool, Inc. of Owings Mills, Maryland, for several ice cream brands, including certain Cumberland Farms, Jeni’s, Friendly’s and Hershey’s products. These treats have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Impacted products were distributed to stores including Target, Market Basket, Shaw’s and Hannaford.

There are no known illnesses currently associated with the recalled products. Consumers can identify impacted products by comparing the date and plant information on the packaging. Consumers should not eat any of the impacted products.

“Listeria can cause serious health concerns,” said Iain Watt, DPHS director. “Foods that are contaminated may not look, smell, or taste any different, so there is no way to tell if Listeria is present. The best option is to throw recalled products away or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.”

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older adults or people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of infection include fever, muscle aches and sometimes nausea and vomiting. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions. The infection, called listeriosis, can be treated with antibiotics, so anyone who suspects they may have the illness should contact their health care provider.

Anyone with questions may contact Totally Cool, Inc. at 410-363- 7801 or regulatory@totallycoolicecream.com between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

For questions about listeriosis, contact DPHS at 603-271-4496. For more information about the recall, visit fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/totally-cool-inc-recalls-all-ice-cream-products-because-possible-health-risk.