Modesto company recalls popular ice cream bars due to salmonella. Where were they sold?

Angela Rodriguez
·2 min read

A Modesto-based company has recalled more than 5,000 boxes of ice cream bars because some “have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella,” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Testing at Tropicale Foods discovered salmonella — which can lead to severe and sometimes deadly infections in children, elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems — in the mango-flavored bars of the company’s Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack.

A total of 5,224 boxes of ice cream bars labeled with the best-by date of Oct. 11, 2025 were recalled, the Food and Drug Administration said.

“No illnesses have been reported to date,” the FDA wrote in the announcement Saturday.

On Monday morning, Tropicale Foods’ corporate office in Ontario said it was not able to give a statement on the recall.

Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack
Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack

Where were recalled ice cream bars sold?

According to the administration, the potentially contaminated products were distributed to retail locations in the following states and districts:

  • Iowa

  • Indiana

  • Kentucky

  • Massachusetts

  • Maryland

  • Maine

  • Michigan

  • North Carolina

  • New Hampshire

  • Rhode Island

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • Virginia

  • Wisconsin

  • West Virginia

  • Washington, D.C.

Some locations in Europe were also affected by the recall.

It has not been confirmed whether affected products were distributed in California.

“The company is conducting an investigation as to what caused the problem and will take effective action to prevent any future issue,” the FDA said.

What should you do next?

Anyone with questions about the recall should contact Tropicale Foods at 909-563-3090, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

What are the symptoms of salmonella?

According to the FDA, common symptoms of salmonella include:

  • Fever

  • Diarrhea (may be bloody)

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

Rare symptoms include:

  • Arterial infection

  • Endocarditis

  • Arthritis

What other foods made in California have been recalled?

The ice cream recall is one of four recent food recalls involving products made in California.

Earlier this year, Rizo-López Foods recalled all its cheeses and dairy products made in its Modesto facility due to potential contamination to listeria.

Trader Joe’s has also recalled two popular products manufactured by California companies.

The grocery store chain recalled its 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews, supplied by Wenders LLC of Dublin, after discovering that they were potentially contaminated with salmonella.

Trader Joe’s has also recalled 61,839 pounds of chicken soup dumplings.

According to the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service alert, Beaumont-based CJ Foods Manufacturing issued the recall after getting “complaints from consumers reporting they found hard plastic in Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings.”

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