It's an indulgence you might nibble on when you're trying to be a little more disciplined. Here's who is said to be impacted.
If you noticed a chill running through America’s frozen dessert aisles, it may be because Häagen-Dazs—America’s “number one” ice cream company, according to 2024 Instacart data—has recalled one of its beloved sweet treats. The brand, adored for its creamy, decadent flavors, is urging customers to double-check their freezers for Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars, which were found to contain undeclared wheat, a known allergen.
The recall was announced via a November 3 press statement released by Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. According to The New York Times, the company has handled Haagen-Dazs manufacturing, marketing, and distribution under a license from the brand’s owner, General Mills, since 2004.
They report that a “limited” and undisclosed number of the affected ice cream bars were sold in six-count packages at two major U.S. retailers—Kroger and Giant Eagle—across 30 states.
It’s said only items sold in the following locations, bearing the batch code LLA519501 and the “Best By” date January 31, 2027, are included in the recall:
- Kroger: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
- Giant Eagle: Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia
“We are recalling this product because it may contain products that contain wheat in packaging that does not reveal the presence of wheat on the label. Although our investigation is ongoing, we believe products containing wheat were repacked into the incorrect packaging at the beginning of a production run,” the company explains.
Though the incident has not yet been classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dreyers acknowledges that the error could have serious health consequences. “Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” the news release states.
According to the organization Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), “wheat allergy is most often reported in young children and may affect up to 1% of children in the U.S.,” causing symptoms that can range from mild to severe. NYU Langone adds that one third of Americans also report trying to avoid gluten—a protein compound found in wheat, rye, and barley due to Celiac disease and gluten sensitivities.
Häagen-Dazs was founded over 60 years ago in the Bronx, a borough of New York City, and has enjoyed immense national popularity in the years since. The Dreyer’s website notes that it is “the No. 1 market share leader and No. 1 brand in the premium indulgence segment in the USA,” in part thanks to its reputation for high-quality ingredients and manufacturing.
However, the company is urging anyone with wheat allergies or sensitivities “not to consume the product and instead dispose of it or return it to their place of purchase for a full refund.” Those with questions may contact Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
- Fruit Sold at Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Costco, Target, and Others Has Been Recalled Nationwide
- An Ongoing Nuts Recall Has Been Upgraded in 2 States
- A Widely-Used Drug for Cancer, Seizures, and More Has Been Recalled Nationwide by the FDA
- More Than 580,000 Blood Pressure Drugs Recalled Nationwide for Possible Cancer-Causing Impurities
