Wilcox Ice Cream recalls multiple products after listeria found in batch of mint chip
Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY
Updated 5 min read
A Vermont-based ice cream company will pull several frozen treats off their shelves because of bacteria detected in a batch of mint chip, impacting products distributed in four states.
Wilcox Ice Cream has voluntarily recalled all flavors, including Super Premium Mint Chip, that were manufactured on Sept. 15 or within the same time period, according to a company announcement on Saturday. That includes ice cream, ice cream bars, yogurt andLeonardo’s brand of gelato.
The recall comes a week after the Vermont Department of Agriculture, who was informed by the New Hampshire Department of Health that one lot of mint chip ice cream tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes foodborne illness.
The company later determined that the ice cream mix purchased to make their products may contain the bacteria, the company stated.
No illnesses or injuries have been reported.
What states are affected?
If you live in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, or New York then you might be impacted by the recall.
Listeria, or listeriosis is a disease caused by the Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can be found in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation or animals.
The bacteria has been known to grown under refrigeration and other food preservation measures, according to the FDA.
It's generally transmitted when food is harvested, processed, prepared, packed, transported or stored in environments contaminated with the bacteria.
Those infected with the bacteria may start to see symptoms as early as couple of hours or as long as a couple of days after eating contaminated food. More severe forms of the illness tend to develop anywhere from three days to three months after exposure.
There are a host of symptoms you could experience if you have contracted listeriosis, here are some of the most common ones:
Fever
Headaches/muscle aches
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stiff neck
Confusion
Loss of balance
Convulsions
Symptoms can last may last from days to several weeks depending on the severity of the illness. Side effects can be more severe for very young, elderly, or immunocompromised people, the FDA reported.
Wilcox Ice Cream is only offering affected consumers the ability to redeem credit for the recalled product.
If you have bought a recalled Wilcox Ice Cream product, you are encouraged to take a picture of the top and sides of the container that shows the best by date and email it to AR@wilcoxicecreamvt.com.
You should include photos, quantity, purchase location, your full name, address and telephone number.
