FDA Finds Harmful Bacteria at 21 Percent of Ice Cream Manufacturers Inspected Across the Country
Three ice cream companies voluntarily recalled their products – and one briefly halted production – after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspection found traces of listeria and salmonella.
The FDA said in a release Wednesday it conducted inspections across the country after 16 ice cream products were recalled between 2013 and 2015 because of pathogens and a listeriosis outbreak linked to three deaths in 2015.
The agency “inspected and obtained environmental samples” from 89 different production facilities across 32 states in 2016 and 2017.
Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, said in a statement that many of the facilities adhered to good practices, but there were some that “were in violation of the law.”
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While nearly half of the facilities observed had no objectionable conditions, listeria monocytogenes was detected in 19 (21 percent of the 89 inspected), though only one on a food-contact surface. Salmonella was detected in one.
As a result of the inspections, two voluntary recalls of Working Cow Homemade Inc. ice creams came in 2017 and 2018. Nelson’s Creamery LLC also issued a recall after the FDA found undeclared soy lecithin in one of the company’s products.
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Working Cow’s food facility registration was also suspended by the FDA in 2018, though the suspension was lifted earlier this year after the company stopped making ice cream and started only distributing products made by other manufacturers.
The FDA noted that it collaborated with inspected companies to help them make corrections as needed to keep bacteria out of their products.
“Ultimately, we must work together to ensure all necessary protective steps are taken so that Americans can continue having confidence that the foods available for purchase in the U.S. are safe and wholesome,” the release read.
