Winn-Dixie Stores Issues Allergy Alert on Mislabeled Ice Cream

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores is recalling one code of its 1.75 quart (1.65 liter) cartons of "Prestige Chocolate Ice Cream" because of a potential error in packaging, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Some of the products may have the correct lid identifying the product as chocolate almond, but the "tub" is identified as only chocolate. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. Given this serious issue, the company decided to pull the product from all its stores and encourages customers with any concerns to return the product.

The product comes in an oval 1.75 quart paper carton marked with plant code of 12-356 and an expiration date of JUN 25 08 on a white strip on the side of the carton. The cartons indicate that the product inside is chocolate ice cream while the lid may state that the product is chocolate almond.

The recalled "Prestige Chocolate Ice Cream" was only distributed to Winn-Dixie and Save-Rite stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The company has not received any reports from customers in connection with this problem, FDA reported.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the almond-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of almonds.

Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by chocolate ice cream cartons getting on the line while chocolate almond was being produced. FDA has been informed and there is complete cooperation with them in conducting this recall.