California ice cream company Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. issued a statement through the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 4, announcing a recall of specific batches of ice cream bars sold in 31 states due to possible undisclosed wheat ingredients.
The recalled product is the Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Ice Cream Bars, sold in 6-packs at Kroger and Giant Eagle supermarkets. The “best by” date for the product is January 31, 2027, with batch number LLA519501.
Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. distributed these ice cream bars through Kroger in 29 states, including California, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The product was also sold at Giant Eagle supermarkets in Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The announcement stated, “For those allergic to or extremely sensitive to wheat, consuming this product may trigger severe or life-threatening allergic reactions.” There have been no reports of related illnesses or injuries so far.
The company explained, “We are recalling this product because some wheat-containing products were mistakenly packaged into packaging that did not label wheat ingredients. Although the investigation is still ongoing, we believe that wheat-containing products were incorrectly repackaged into the wrong exterior packaging during the early stages of production.”
The company emphasized that other Häagen-Dazs products or different batches are not affected by this recall.
Consumers allergic or sensitive to wheat are advised not to consume the product if purchased, but to dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Customers with inquiries can contact the company at 800-767-0120.
In recent months, multiple companies have recalled products due to undisclosed wheat ingredients.
On October 1, Woodland Hills dessert shop Doan’s Bakery announced a voluntary recall of cake products sold nationwide due to undisclosed wheat and milk allergens.
In August, Massachusetts-based company Hans Kissle recalled 66 portions of potato salad in five states’ Stop and Shop supermarkets for the same reason of undisclosed wheat ingredients.
According to the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) organization, wheat allergies may affect around 1% of children in the United States. Research indicates that about 2/3 of children with wheat allergies naturally outgrow them before the age of 12.
“When individuals with wheat allergies come into contact with wheat, proteins in wheat bind with specific IgE antibodies produced by their immune systems, triggering an immune response that can lead to mild or severe allergic symptoms,” FARE stated. “Symptoms of wheat allergy can range from mild (such as hives) to severe (such as anaphylaxis). Allergic reactions are unpredictable, and even tiny amounts of wheat can trigger a response.”
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. FARE recommends that individuals with allergies avoid consuming foods containing wheat or wheat derivatives, such as breadcrumbs, cereal extracts, cookie crumbs, durum wheat, semolina, seitan, pasta, wheatgrass, and couscous.
According to the FDA and its latest announcement on September 22, the nine major food allergens recognized in the United States are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame.
The FDA noted that food manufacturers are legally required to ensure that all allergens are clearly labeled on product labels.
The agency stated that symptoms that may occur after consuming foods containing allergens include hives, skin redness, rash, abdominal pain, coughing or wheezing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and oral tingling sensation.
The FDA advises, “Individuals known to have food allergies who experience any of the above symptoms should stop eating immediately, assess the need for emergency medication (such as epinephrine), and seek medical assistance promptly.”