Wilcox Ice Cream pulls all products from shelves over listeria outbreak

All flavours of Wilcox Ice Cream have been recalled after concerns that the products could be contaminated with listeria.

The ice cream company based in Vermont was undergoing a routine test by the New Hampshire Department of Health when they discovered the ‘Super Premium Mint Chocolate Chip’ ice cream tested positive for listeria bacteria in September.

The company has decided to recall all their ice cream, yoghurt, ice cream bars and Leonardo’s brand gelato through a statement they made through the Food and Drug Administration.

“As part of our investigation, we determined that preliminary testing showed that the ice cream mix purchased to make our products may contain Listeria monocytogenes,” Wilcox Ice Cream said.

They warn that anyone possessing the products specified in the recalled list should not consume them.

The FDA also reported another food safety alert on Tuesday linked to peaches, nectarines and plums sold by HMC Farms and products with a “6359” sticker on Signature Farms packaging.

As of 17 November, 11 people in seven states have reported being infected as a result of the fruit outbreak, with 10 people being hospitalised, one mother going into preterm labour and one Californian who died, the CDC has recorded.

In October, another ice-cream-related outbreak was also reported deriving from products from The Ice Cream House in Brooklyn, New York, where two people were hospitalised due to listeria.

Wilcox Ice Cream said no injuries or illnesses have yet to be reported in relation to their recalled products.

The almost 100-year-old family business distributed its products to stores in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York.

The bacteria that has possibly infected these products, listeria, can cause serious infections and can sometimes lead to death in young children, frail or elderly people or others who have weakened immune systems.

In some cases with pregnant people, the infection has led to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or a life-threatening infection of a newborn.

People may experience fever or flu symptoms, headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures within around two weeks of becoming infected.

This invasive illness can be treated with antibiotics.

A spokesperson from Wilcox Ice Cream told The Independent that they have never had a recall before and their plant, equipment, drains and surfaces are currently testing negative.

“The Wilcox Family and Wilcox team remains extremely committed to all of our valued customers. We never want to go through this again. We are working tirelessly and efficiently to get our plant back into production,” they said.

In addition to the Super Premium Mint Chocolate Chip flavour, the company has recalled:

Wilcox Premium Product Line (Sell By/Best By: 9/14/24 - 11/14/24):

Wilcox SUPER PREMIUM Product Line ( Sell By/Best By: 9/13/24, 10/6/2024, 11/14/24):

Wilcox’s Premium Yogurt Line (Sell By/Best By: 10/5/24, 10/6/24, 10/26/24, 10/27/24):

Wilcox Ice Cream 802 Ice Cream Bars (Sell By/Best By: 9/15/24 to 11/14/24):

Leonardo’s Gelato Pints and 4 oz cups (Sell By/Best By: 8/28/24 to 11/14/24):

Wilcox’s Plant-Based Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert (Sell By/Best By: 9/13/24):

If customers wish to get their money back, there is no need to return the product to the store.

Instead, they should take a picture of the top and sides of the container and email them along with quantity, where purchased and a full name and address to AR@wilcoxicecreamvt.com.