straus creamery ice cream recall

Strauß Creamery Ice Cream Recall

1. Introduction

Straus Creamery of Marshall, California, has recalled certain flavors of its organic ice cream. Consumers could become ill if they eat this ice cream. The affected flavors may contain pieces of foreign material, which the company did not declare on the label. The problem was discovered after a consumer complaint.

No illnesses or injuries have been reported. The company has stopped production and distribution of the affected flavors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall on November 3, 2023.

2. What Happened

On May 24, 2023, Strauß Creamery announced a recall of certain ice cream products due to the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail

3. Why the recall is Issued

Because routine testing detected Listeria monocytogenes at Strauß Creamery manufacturing facility. Testing at the ice cream-preparation facility done by state authorities. Test results led the company to recall the affected ice cream products. No illnesses have been reported. Customers are advised not to eat the affected products.

Listeria is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Healthy individuals may experience short-term symptoms. Laboratory testing is the only way to confirm a Listeria infection.

4. Affected Products

The following Strauss Creamery ice cream products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause listeriosis. The ice cream is sold in containers marked with the “sell by” date of Feb. 23, 2024, printed on the bottom of the tubs. The affected products are Strauss Creamery ice cream Vanilla Sea Salt Caramel, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Mint Chip, Chocolate Chip, Strawberry, and Coffee.

The recall includes the following flavors: Vanilla Sea Salt Caramel, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Mint Chip, Chocolate Chip, Strawberry, Coffee. In addition, the affected Strauss Creamery ice cream flavors are being sold in pints, quarts, and half gallons. These products were sold at retailers, including Wegmans Food Markets. The label on the containers is marked with the “sell by” date of Feb. 23, 2024, printed on the bottom.

5. How to Check If Yours Is Affected

Consumers can check if their ice cream is part of this recall by looking for the affected flavors and their tub sizes, as listed below.

Pets and people could be infected by harmful bacteria if they eat or drink food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. No illness has been reported to date by either humans or animals. Contaminated food may not look or smell bad. The recall was initiated after a routine local health authority inspection found environmental L. monocytogenes in the production facility.

The potentially affected ice cream flavors include:

- Vanilla (pint, half gallon, gallon)

- Mint Chip (pint, 3 gallon)

- Cookies & Cream (pint, half gallon, gallon)

- Coffee (pint, half gallon, gallon)

- Strawberry (pint, half gallon, gallon)

- Dairy Free Coconut (pint, half gallon)

- Dark Chocolate (pint)

6. What to Do If You Have Affected Ice Cream

Consumers who bought the affected ice creams at retail or food service locations should not eat them. Instead, they should discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers who need more information can contact the company at 1-800-528-6264 and request assistance, log on to [Link] and click on “Licensing Agreements,” or look for announcements on their local websites and store shelves.

7. Safety Steps for Consumers

Unlike FDA, CDC, or USDA, FDA News does not issue warning letters, nor does it post cameras in businesses to monitor for possible violations. It responds to reports from the public, employees, and outside agencies. Failing to follow rules can lead to penalties, including jail sentences for the business owner.

To keep food safe, the FDA provides the following tips:

• Follow the “use by” date on foods. If there’s no date, eat or freeze lunch meat, hot dogs, and deli meats within 3 to 5 days.

• Make sure stored food is within proper temperature ranges. Refrigerators should be kept at or below 40°F. Freezers should be 0°F.

• Wash your hands before eating, preparing, or handling food.

• Do not prepare food for others if you are feeling sick or have recently been sick with diarrhea or vomiting.

• Clean and sanitize kitchen utensils and food preparation areas.

• Properly thaw meat in the refrigerator. Do not leave meat at room temperature to thaw.

Consumers are urged to exercise caution. If food looks or smells strange, do not eat it.

8. How the Company Is Responding

The company is cooperating with the FDA during this investigation. The company said, “Quality and safety are our top priorities, and we take seriously our responsibility to understand and address any issues with our products.”

Straus Family Creamery in Marshall, California is a family-owned creamery relying on milk from Marin, Sonoma, and northern California farms. The producer has been in operation since 1994. The ice cream is sold directly to consumers and through a network of retail and food-service partners, including independent stores, natural and specialty markets, and restaurants.

9. How to Report Issues

Consumers, stores, and distributors can report adverse reactions or quality issues with the affected products to the Food and Drug Administration’s Consumer Complaint Coordinators. Reports are accepted by phone at 1-301-796-8240, online, or by mail.

The FDA encourages submitting adverse reactions and incidents via its MedWatch system. The system accepts reports online, mail, or fax. The FDA investigates all reports and takes action when necessary to protect public health and safety.

10. Keeping Informed

For more information: Call the company at954-460-9212, email quality@theicecreamshop.com, or visit [Link] Customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4 PM PDT.

The recall is posted at [Link], searched by the company name STRAUS FAMILY CREAMERY.

11. Conclusion

Strauß Creamery ice cream is recalled because Listeria monocytogenes bacteria were found in a container. An announcement was issued on 17 September 2023.

No illnesses have been reported. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infection in children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. The illness can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled ice cream was distributed in California, Hawaii, and Washington. Because it is sold in various sizes and different flavors, check the identifying information. Impacted containers have either an expiration date of 28 July 2024 or a “sell by” date of 4 June 2023.

The company advises consumers to check their freezers. If they have any of the recalled ice cream, they should discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Listeria contamination is rare in frozen foods. Consumers should take precautions regardless. If ice cream or other frozen desserts have been improperly handled or stored, throw them out. Be aware of possible freezer odors related to Listeria.