Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Belgian Yummies, SOFRA, Ria Ice Cream Sandwiches & Gelato recall: Undeclared Wheat, Soy, Egg, Coconut &/or Peanuts, FD&C Yellow #5

Recall published 2+ years ago

Undeclared Wheat, Soy, Egg, Coconut &/or Peanuts, FD&C Yellow #5

Belgian Yummies, SOFRA, Ria Dairy — recalled dairyBelgian Yummies, SOFRA, Ria Dairy — recalled dairy (photo 2)Belgian Yummies, SOFRA, Ria Dairy — recalled dairy (photo 3)Belgian Yummies, SOFRA, Ria Dairy — recalled dairy (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Undeclared peanuts or tree nuts

The product contains peanuts or tree nuts that the packaging never declared. If nobody in your home avoids peanuts or tree nuts, there is no health reason to throw it away — though the refund still stands.

What the notice says: People who have allergies to wheat, soy, egg, coconut, and/or peanuts or have a sensitivity to FD&C Yellow #5 run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Why it matters: The label does not declare peanuts or tree nuts, so anyone who reads labels to avoid it has no way of knowing it is in there. For people without that allergy the product is safe to eat.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

An undeclared allergen is a danger only to people allergic or intolerant to that ingredient. For everyone else the food is safe. Reactions range from an itchy mouth, hives, stomach cramps or vomiting through to anaphylaxis — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, a tight chest, wheezing, a sudden drop in blood pressure or collapse. If anaphylaxis is suspected, use an epinephrine auto-injector straight away and call 911, even if the symptoms seem to settle, because a second wave can follow hours later.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
April 9, 2024
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Belgian Yummies, SOFRA, Ria
Product type
Dairy
Distribution
Florida
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Products covered by this recall

Ice Cream Sandwiches & Gelato

What the company announced

Belgian Yummies of Fort Myers, FL, is alerting the public that its 4-ounce packages of Ice Cream Sandwiches and 5-liter containers and 4.75-liter pans of Gelato contains undeclared allergens.

Belgian Yummies Sandwiches, flavors of Vanilla, Chocolate, Raspberry, Salted Caramel, Key Lime, and Peanut Butter, contain undeclared wheat, soy, egg, coconut, and/or peanuts.

Sofra Sandwiches, flavors of Vanilla and Chocolate, contain undeclared wheat, soy, egg, and coconut.

Ria Sandwiches, flavors of Vanilla, contain undeclared wheat, soy, egg, and coconut.

Belgian Yummies Gelato, Strawberry flavor, contains undeclared FD&C Yellow #5

Belgian Yummies Gelato, Birthday Cake flavor, contains undeclared wheat and FD&C Yellow #5

Belgian Yummies Gelato, Horchata flavor, contains undeclared wheat.

People who have allergies to wheat, soy, egg, coconut, and/or peanuts or have a sensitivity to FD&C Yellow #5 run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled Ice Cream Sandwiches and Gelato were distributed in Florida through wholesale orders. None of the products were available for retail sale.

The sandwiches come in a 4-ounce, clear plastic or gold package marked with an expiration date of 08/31/2024 stamped on the back. The Strawberry and Birthday Cake gelato comes in a 5-Liter gray container and the Horchata gelato comes in a 4.75-Liter gray pan marked with an expiration date of 08/31/2024.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated after Belgian Yummies and the Florida Department of Agriculture discovered during an inspection that the product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat, soy, egg, coconut and/or peanuts and FD&C Yellow #5. The problem was caused by outdated labels being used during the packaging process.

Labels were immediately corrected, and ingredient lists were provided to all wholesale customers who received the affected products.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-239-202-8146, Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00pm EST or by email to [email protected] .

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 4 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 08/31/2024

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 4 ounce
  • 5 liter
  • 4.75 liter

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Nuts

Belgian Yummies, SOFRA, Ria — The product contains peanuts or tree nuts that the packaging never declared. If nobody in your home avoids peanuts or tree nuts, there is no health reason to throw it away — though the refund still stands.

  1. If anyone in your household avoids peanuts or tree nuts, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.
  2. If a reaction has already happened, report it to the FDA through its consumer complaint coordinator so the case is attached to this recall.
  3. Tell anyone else who eats from your kitchen, including childminders, schools and anyone catering an event you contributed to.
  4. Keep the pack if you want a refund, or photograph the label and the lot code and then bin it. If nobody in the house avoids peanuts or tree nuts, you may simply eat it — the recall is about disclosure, not spoilage.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Company contact: Belgian Yummies — Consumers: 1-239-202-8146, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Belgian Yummies, SOFRA, Ria dairy recalled?

Undeclared Wheat, Soy, Egg, Coconut &/or Peanuts, FD&C Yellow #5 People who have allergies to wheat, soy, egg, coconut, and/or peanuts or have a sensitivity to FD&C Yellow #5 run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: best-by date 08/31/2024. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

If anyone in your household avoids peanuts or tree nuts, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.

Can I get my money back?

A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Florida.

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