Velvet Ice Cream and Sherbet Products Recalled Due to Listeria Risk

A recall has been issued for dozens of different brands of ice cream and sherbet, which were sold under names like Velvet, North Star, Super Dip and others, due to a risk of listeria food poisoning.

The FDA announced the ice cream recall on April 27,  after the manufacturer revealed the products may be contaminated with 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.

Velvet Ice Cream, the manufacturer, discovered listeria contamination during routine company testing and then informed the FDA of the problem. Although the bacteria poses serious health risks, there are no confirmed illnesses or injuries reported in connection with the recalled ice cream and sherbet products.

The recall impacts more than 90 different products of Velvet ice cream and sherbet, which were sold under the Velvet brand name, as well as the Buehler’s, Discount Drug Mart, North Star, Whale of a Pail, and Super Dip brand names. A full list of affected products is available in the recall announcement.

The ice cream and sherbet products were made on or since March 24, 2021, and were distributed throughout Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia through convenience stores and supermarkets with varying sizes and containers.

“We’re conducting this voluntary recall in cooperation with the FDA out of consideration for the wellbeing and safety of our customers and consumers,” said Velvet Ice Cream CEO Luconda Dager. “We continue to be committed to serving consumers with high quality ice cream and sherbet products.”

The Listeria monocytogenes organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, posing a particularly serious risk for persons with weakened immune systems. However, even healthy individuals can suffer side effects, including short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Among pregnant women, listeria monocytogenes infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Listeria poisoning symptoms usually start one to four weeks after eating food contaminated with the bacteria, but can start the same day or even up to 70 days after consumption. In some cases, severe illness may result if the bacteria spreads beyond the gut to other areas of the body. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise speaking with a doctor if you experience any symptoms of headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever and muscle aches after eating the contaminated product.

The FDA and Velvet Ice Cream recommend consumers throw away or return any recalled products to the store of purchase for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Velvet Ice Cream at 800-589-5000, extension 237, or by visiting the company’s website at http://www.velveticecream.com/contact-us.