Unilever, Blue Bell, Pilgrim’s Pride Corp and Foster Farms in recalls

By Joseph James Whitworth

- Last updated on GMT

Unilever Australia recalled ice cream due to potential presence of plastic
Unilever Australia recalled ice cream due to potential presence of plastic

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A recall round-up sees four separate incidents, three due to possible foreign material contamination, with Unilever, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Pilgrim’s Pride Corp and Foster Farms involved.

Unilever Australia has recalled Streets Blue Ribbon Ice Cream - all flavours due to the potential presence of small plastic pieces.

All best before dates between 28 April 2017 to 27 April 2018 sold in all major supermarkets and convenience stores nationally are affected.

“As a precautionary measure Unilever is voluntarily recalling 1.25L and 2L tubs of Blue Ribbon ice cream due to the possible presence of plastic pieces,” ​said Unilever Australia. 

“We have been made aware of a very small number of cases where plastic pieces have been found in these products and could present a risk of injury.

blue bell mispack
Blue Bell recall: Rocky Road tub with Cookies 'n cream lid

“Consumers are advised not to eat the affected products and should return empty ice cream tubs to the place of purchase for a full refund.”

Staying with ice cream, but changing everything else, Blue Bell ​recalled some Rocky Road pints produced in its Brenham, Texas, plant because they may be mispackaged and contain Cookies 'n Cream Ice Cream.

That flavour contains the undeclared allergens soy and wheat, which may present a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction risk to people who have such an allergy or severe sensitivity.

They can be identified by the code on the bottom of the pint: 022918576 or by those that have a Rocky Road pint with a Cookies 'n Cream lid.

A Blue Bell employee discovered the incorrect packaging while restocking a retailer.

Foreign material contamination

Meanwhile, Foster Poultry Farms​ recalled 220,450 pounds of chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with blue plastic and black rubber materials.

foster farms chicken nuggets
Foster Farms product recall

Fully cooked frozen chicken breast nuggets were produced on February 22 and March 8. They were shipped to distributors in Alaska, Arizona, California, Utah, and Washington state.

The problem was discovered after the company received consumer complaints and told the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS).

In a separate foreign body contamination incident, Pilgrim’s Pride Corp​., recalled more than 5m pounds of fully cooked chicken products possibly contaminated with extraneous materials.

Chicken products were produced between May 6, 2015, and December 3, 2015, said USDA-FSIS.

The problem was discovered after the firm received several consumer complaints regarding plastic contamination of chicken nuggets.

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp expanded the recall after telling FSIS personnel who identified more affected products and dates of production after investigating additional consumer complaints of foreign material contamination.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions.

Please see our separate articles for details on the recalls due to Listeria in sunflower seed products​ or frozen vegetables​. There will be no recall round-up gallery this week due to FQN attending Analytica in Munich but look out for its return next Thursday.

Related topics Food Safety & Quality

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