Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Helados Mexico mango bars in the variety pack recall: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

Recall published 2+ years ago

Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

Helados Mexico Fresh produce — recalled fresh produce
Photo published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Salmonella contamination

The hazard here is Salmonella contamination, a bacterial infection that is usually unpleasant rather than dangerous, but which hits young children and older adults much harder.

What the notice says: Tropicale Foods of Modesto, CA is voluntarily recalling 5,224 units of Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack with best by date of “MO Best By 10/11/2025”, because the mango bars in the variety pack have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Why it matters: Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States. It spreads easily from a contaminated product to hands, taps, cloths and other food in the same kitchen.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

The CDC describes salmonellosis as diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps that usually begin between six hours and six days after exposure and last about four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment. Children under five, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill. Seek care for diarrhoea with a high fever, bloody stools, vomiting that stops you keeping liquids down, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine, a dry mouth or dizziness when standing.

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
March 29, 2024
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Helados Mexico
Product type
Fresh produce
Distribution
District of Columbia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

mango bars in the variety pack

What the company announced

Tropicale Foods of Modesto, CA is voluntarily recalling 5,224 units of Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack with best by date of “MO Best By 10/11/2025”, because the mango bars in the variety pack have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Product was distributed at retail locations in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgina, Wisconsin, West Virgina, Washington, DC, and certain locations in Europe.

The product best by date can be found on the bottom of the retail box. A photograph of the package can be found below.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Finished product testing on the mango bars revealed that the finished product may contain Salmonella . The company has ceased distribution of the affected product. The company is conducting an investigation as to what caused the problem and will take effective action to prevent any future issue.

Consumers who have the affected product should dispose of and not consume this product. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 909-563-3090 between 8 am and 5 pm pacific, Monday to Friday.

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 1 code 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.

  • 10/11/2025

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 Salmonella

Helados Mexico — The hazard here is Salmonella contamination, a bacterial infection that is usually unpleasant rather than dangerous, but which hits young children and older adults much harder.

  1. Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.
  2. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the pack, and wash any dish, utensil or surface it touched in hot soapy water.
  3. If you repackaged or froze it, check the freezer too. Salmonella is not killed by freezing.
  4. Watch everyone who ate it for about a week, and call a doctor sooner for a child under five or an adult over 65.

Refunds, and what else you can claim

The purchase price is the floor, not the ceiling. Where a recall caused you a real cost, say so.

  • Claim the refund at the store first; it is the fastest route and needs the least paperwork.
  • If you bought several packs over time, list them. Firms routinely settle for more than a single unit when a customer asks.
  • Medical costs, lost earnings or a spoiled event are not handled at the service desk. Write to the company contact on this page instead, with dates and documents.
  • Keep copies of everything you send. If a recall caused harm, that file is what any later claim rests on.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have the affected product should dispose of and not consume this product.

Company contact: Tropicale Foods — Consumers: Communications Department, 909-563-3090, [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 Helados Mexico fresh produce recalled?

Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Tropicale Foods of Modesto, CA is voluntarily recalling 5,224 units of Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack with best by date of “MO Best By 10/11/2025”, because the mango bars in the variety pack have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: best-by date 10/11/2025. 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?

Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have the affected product should dispose of and not consume this product.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists District of Columbia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and others.

Related recalls