Ice Cream with Added Spinach Recalled After Listeria Positive Test

Ramar Foods of Pittsburg, CA, is recalling its 14 ounce packages of Peekaboo branded Mint Chocolate Chip with Hidden Spinach Ice Cream product because of the potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes, The potential for contamination was discovered after internal routine testing by Ramar Foods revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in some packages of the ice cream.

First, it seems that "hiding" vegetables in ice cream is just wrong.

In the hazard analysis, one would need to recognize that cooked or blanched vegetables would have a Listeria monocytogenes risk. The report does not indicate whether the spinach was cooked/blanched at the establishment or by the supplier. As a post-process addition, the vegetables would need sufficient controls to prevent contamination by Listeria.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ramar-foods-recalls-mint-chocolate-chip-hidden-spinach-ice-cream-because-possible-health-risk
Ramar Foods Recalls Mint Chocolate Chip With Hidden Spinach Ice Cream Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 14, 2020
FDA Publish Date: May 14, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages Ice Cream/Frozen Dairy
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Ramar Foods
Brand Name:  Peekaboo
Product Description:  Mint Chocolate Chip with Hidden Spinach Ice Cream

Company Announcement


Ramar Foods of Pittsburg, CA, is recalling its 14 ounce packages of Peekaboo branded Mint Chocolate Chip with Hidden Spinach Ice Cream product out of an abundance of caution because of the potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The ice cream product being recalled was available for purchase at select Target stores in FL, GA, SC, and NC. Only thirty-three (33) containers of the ice cream product were purchased by consumers and the remaining containers have been removed from commerce. The ice cream affected comes in a 14 ounce, printed paper container with UPC# 8685400001, and a Best Before date of 10/08/2021 printed on the bottom.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product.

The potential for contamination was discovered after internal routine testing by Ramar Foods revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in some packages of the ice cream.

Production of the recalled product has been voluntarily suspended while we continue to work with FDA to investigate and take appropriate corrective measures.

Consumers who purchased the Peekaboo branded Mint Chocolate Chip with Hidden Spinach with the

Best Buy date of 10/08/2021 should not consume the product and will be offered a full refund.

Consumers with questions, or who would like to request an immediate refund, may contact Ramar Foods. Consumer contact: 844-491-7869, M-F 8-5pm EST; ramarfoods5691@stericycle.com.