Ice Cream Recall as Potential Life-Threatening Warning Issued

Ice cream made by a New York-based dairy company has been recalled due to potentially containing undeclared peanuts.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Tuesday that Byrne Dairy, Inc., of Syracuse, New York, has voluntarily recalled its Byrne Dairy Mighty Fine Chocolate Ice Cream packaged in half-gallon cartons. Affected products include those with a last sale date of October 4, 2024, due to the presence of potential peanuts that can cause serious or life-threatening reactions to those who have peanut allergies.

The FDA said that the ice cream, packaged in cardboard containers and labeled with the last-date sale on its side label, was distributed in retail stores throughout Upstate New York. No more than 250 half-gallon units are being recalled, and no illnesses have been reported as of January 30.

A spokesperson for Byrne Dairy declined to comment further when contacted by Newsweek and referred to the FDA's press release.

Byrne reportedly initiated the recall after a consumer complained that the product contained peanut butter even though the packaging did not mention its presence. The mislabeling is being attributed to a manufacturing error.

About 33 million Americans—including one in 10 adults and one in 13 children—are allergic to one of the nine major allergens, which include peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, wheat, soy, fish, crustacean shellfish and sesame. Studies published in 2018 and 2019 estimate that 6.1 million Americans of all ages are allergic to peanuts, according to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).

About 5.6 million children under age 18 have some form of food allergy, and about 40 percent of children with such allergies are allergic to more than one food.

Peanut and tree nut allergies more than tripled in U.S. children between 1997 and 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Food allergies in children overall increased by 50 percent between 1997 and 2011.

Symptoms of nut allergies vary from mild to severe, possibly including the following:

• Hives, rash, itchy and/or red skin
• Tingling and swelling of the lips and/or mouth
• Runny nose
• Tightness in the throat
• Shortness of breath and/or wheezing
• Cramps, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting
• Rapid pulse
• Drop in blood pressure
• Dizziness, faintness, and/or loss of consciousness

Consumers who may have purchased the product are urged not to consume the product and to either dispose of it or return it to their place of purchase for a full refund. Any further questions can directed to the company by calling (315) 627-1319 or emailing info@byrne1933.com.