More than 100,000 ice cream bars produced by Florida-based Rich Ice Cream Co. have been recalled in 23 states due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced.

The recall was initiated on June 27 and was publicly announced by the FDA on July 17. It includes 110,292 cases of ice cream bars across a wide range of flavors and is classified as a Class II recall. This classification indicates that while the health risk is not severe, exposure to the affected products could result in temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects.

The recalled products include:

  • Chocolate Crunch Cake Bar

  • Strawberry Shortcake Bar

  • Rich Bar

  • Crumbled Cookie Bar

  • Orange Cream Bar

  • Fudge Frenzy Bar

  • Cotton Candy Twirl Bar

  • Savagely Sour Blue Raspberry Bar

  • Savagely Sour Cherry Bar

  • Cool Watermelon Bar

The impacted products are marked with lot numbers 24351 through 25156 and were distributed in the following states: Florida, Arizona, Alabama, Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Iowa, South Carolina, Oregon, Oklahoma, Nevada, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can be found in soil, water, and unsanitary food production environments. Unlike many other bacteria, it can survive refrigeration and grow in cold conditions. Consumption of contaminated food can lead to listeriosis, an illness that poses the greatest risk to pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled ice cream bars, but consumers who purchased any of the listed products are advised not to consume them and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.