I love a good scoop of ice cream more than I love most things. Specifically, a scoop of Ben & Jerry's ice cream can make me pretty gosh darn happy. That's why when I heard there was a recall on two of their products, I got a little nervous.
The FDA announced that Unilever, the company that owns Ben & Jerry's, was voluntarily recalling two of their iconic flavors due to nut allergens not being declared on the labels. Luckily for me, I don't have nut allergies, but this could be something pretty serious for those who do.
Unilever is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Ben & Jerry's Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk and Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey pints, which may inadvertently contain tree nuts including almonds, Brazil nuts, and hazelnuts that are not declared in the ingredient list or allergy information list.Both affected products include a "Contains Walnuts" and a "May contain other tree nuts" label on the back of the pack. Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to these undeclared tree nuts run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the recalled products.
This limited voluntary recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Individual Case Safety Report Number 2065846.)
There are two flavors affected by the recall, and the FDA released all the necessary information to identify if yours is one of them.
The affected Ben & Jerry's Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk product is sold in a tub containing 2.4 gallons with a Consumer UPC of 076840104246 and best by date of SEP1520BJ4. The affected Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey pint is sold in a pint tub (473 mL) with a Consumer UPC of 076840100354 and best by dates of AUG2820BH2, AUG2920BH2, or AUG3020BH2.The products were manufactured in the United States. The affected Chunky Monkey pints were distributed nationwide and reached consumers through retail stores. The affected Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk products were distributed nationwide and reached consumers through wholesale and scoop shops. No product was shipped outside of the U.S.
The FDA ensures that no other Ben & Jerry's products besides these ones, even if they're the same flavor as the ones in the scoop shops.
No other container sizes or best by dates of Ben & Jerry's products "“ besides these specific lots of Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk and Chunky Monkey pints "“ are affected by this voluntary recall, including other Pint Slices, pints or any other products served in Ben & Jerry's franchised Scoop Shops.
Apparently, a nut was found during production, which prompted the company to issue the voluntary recall. As of right now, there haven't been any reports of illness associated with these products.
The recall was initiated after an undeclared nut was found during the production operation. Unilever has not received any reports of illness associated with this product, but the company is voluntarily recalling this product out of an abundance of caution. Unilever's ongoing investigation shows that the issue stemmed from an error from one of its nut suppliers. The situation has been remediated.Consumers who have purchased containers of the above products with the affected UPC and date codes are asked to immediately discontinue use of the product, retain the outer container, and call 833-236-1237 for further information 24/7.
It must be pretty scary for those who have nut allergies to see something like this, but luckily no one has been reported ill because of this mishap.
