The problem stems from a topping that was "inadvertently introduced" to a popular brand's product, according to new details.
As the chill of autumn starts to officially set in across the country, unwrapping a frozen treat with tropical flavors can almost serve as a momentary getaway to a faraway beach. However, one such dessert from a wildly popular brand could pose a serious threat to millions of Americans with specific health concerns.
Last week, The Healthy reported that Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, a Columbus, Ohio-based company known for its eye-catching flavors, recalled an undisclosed amount of Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Ice Cream Bars due to a potentially dangerous labeling error.
The frozen treats—previously reported to be sold by Kroger and affiliated grocery stores, per a Kroger notice—were found to contain undeclared wheat and soy. These are both common allergens known to trigger severe or even deadly reactions in those with allergies or sensitivities—a total of 4.3 million Americans are estimated to have either a wheat or soy allergy, according to the nonprofit Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).
Now, a November 18 announcement with additional details was just released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), clarifying the scope of the incident. It says that while only one lot of the product was affected by the mixup, those ice cream bars were reportedly distributed to grocery stores nationwide. The report does not further state which stores may have received the affected product.
There are several ways to spot the recalled items in your freezer: Jeni’s representatives told The Healthy that the items were sold in 3-pack and 8-pack cases, and that the batch code affiliated with the recall, 25-210, can be found on the tops of cartons. The mislabeled products also bear the UPC code 8 50060-64412 and the “Best By” date of October 2026. The company also posted a recall notice on its website as of November 17.
The new FDA alert also explains how the error occurred: “The recall was initiated after a crunch topping from a separate product was inadvertently introduced to this particular batch of Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Ice Cream Bars during manufacturing. The crunch topping contains wheat and soy, which is not declared on the packaging,” the agency writes.
Acknowledging the risk of “life-threatening allergic reactions,” Jeni’s notes that they voluntarily recalled the product “out of an abundance of caution.” No injuries have been reported at the time of publishing.
Customers are urged to return the ice cream bars to their place of purchase for a refund. An FAQ section of the recall notice on Jeni’s website indicates that the refund is only available for “any unopened or unfinished boxes of Passion Fruit Dreamsicle with the affected code.”
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