Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. has announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars after discovering the product may contain undeclared wheat, according to a company statement published in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The recall, issued Nov. 3 and posted on the FDA website Nov. 4, affects six-count packages of Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars with batch code LLA519501 and a Best By date of Jan. 31, 2027. No other products from Häagen-Dazs or Dreyer’s are included in the recall.
The company said the recall was issued after determining that some Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars may contain wheat in packaging that does not declare it as an ingredient. Dreyer’s noted that the mix-up likely occurred when products containing wheat were placed into the wrong packaging at the start of a production run.
According to the company, people with a wheat allergy or severe sensitivity could face a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they eat the affected bars.
The recalled Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars were distributed to two major retailers, Kroger and Giant Eagle, in several U.S. states.
According to the company, affected shipments went to:
- Kroger stores in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Giant Eagle stores in Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
No other Häagen-Dazs products are affected by this recall. The company also shared that so far, no illnesses or injuries have been reported.
What consumers should do
Consumers who have purchased Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mini Bars in a six-count box are advised to inspect the packaging for the batch code listed above. If the code matches LLA519501, Dreyer’s instructs customers not to consume the product.
Affected consumers should either dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those who do not have a wheat allergy or sensitivity are not affected by the labeling issue, but the company recommends all buyers confirm their packaging to ensure it is not from the impacted batch.
“The safety, quality, and integrity of our products remain our number one priority,” the company said. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this action represents to both our consumers and retail customers.”
The company is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on this voluntary recall and will cooperate fully as the agency monitors the process to ensure affected products are removed from shelves.
Consumers with questions may contact Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. at 800-767-0120 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or email dreyers@casupport.com. Additional recall details are available through the FDA’s official recall database and on the company’s website.
Why is wheat a potential hazard?
Wheat is among the major food allergens recognized by U.S. labeling law. Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, companies are required to disclose the presence of major allergens on products, such as milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soybeans, and wheat, which account for about 90% of food allergies.
If an allergen is present in a food product but not declared on the label, it can pose a serious health hazard to individuals who are allergic or highly sensitive.
A wheat allergy causes the immune system to treat certain wheat proteins as harmful, leading to the release of chemicals that trigger inflammation and allergic reactions. Even small amounts can cause symptoms such as hives, rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. In some people, the reaction develops within minutes; in others, it may take several hours.
Severe cases of wheat allergies can also result in anaphylaxis, a rapid reaction that causes chest tightness, shortness of breath, a dangerous drop in blood pressure, and even loss of consciousness. Because of these risks, undeclared allergen recalls are classified by the FDA as high-priority food safety events.
Therefore, those with wheat sensitivity are advised to read labels when buying food items.
Understanding food allergen recalls
While allergen-related recalls are not uncommon in the U.S. food industry, they are taken seriously by both regulators and manufacturers because of the potential for severe reactions. The FDA oversees all food recalls to ensure products that pose potential safety risks are removed from the market promptly.
Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, based in Oakland, California, produces Häagen-Dazs ice cream products in the U.S. under license. Häagen-Dazs has been a longstanding premium ice cream brand, and the company said this recall does not impact its wider range of flavors or bars available nationwide.
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