A POPULAR ice cream maker has filed for bankruptcy after it was forced to recall several of its products due to contamination.
Totally Cool Incorporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month.
In addition to their partnership with Hershey, the Maryland-based sweet treat maker also produces products for Friendly’s, Taharka Brothers, Dolcezza, Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, Jeni’s and ChipWich.
The U.S. Sun reached out to Totally Cool Incorporated for comment.
An unannounced inspection made by the Food and Drug Administration in May led to the discovery of listeria around one of the company’s production lines, reports The Baltimore Banner.
According to the CDC, listeria is a rare but serious foodborne illness that is extremely harmful to infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
The CDC states that the bacteria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the US.
Documents obtained by the outlet reveal that after the inspection, Totally Cool Inc. issued a recall of more than 60 products including the Honey Graham and the Key Lim Pie flavors of Taharka Brothers ice cream.
Taharka Brothers later posted a statement on social media.
“Totally Cool recently discovered a listeria concern in their ice cream cake production line and the FDA has asked them to issue a recall of all the ice cream they’ve manufactured this year,” the company wrote on Facebook.
“Unfortunately, our production run of Honey Graham and Key Lime pints is included in that recall.”
“While no listeria has been detected in our ice cream, or any of the ice cream produced at Totally Cool, the FDA is requiring a full recall out of an abundance of caution,” the statement continued.
They added: “If you have purchased a 16 oz container of our Honey Graham or Key Lime Pie after April 4, 2024, with a Best By Date of 10-01-2025 on the bottom of the pint, do not consume it. You should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Taharka Brothers concluded the post by saying that they would “begin making pints of Honey Graham and Key Lime Pie at our factory immediately and will get the grocery stores and other retail partners restocked as soon as possible.”
Taharka Brothers co-founder Sean Smeeton told The Banner that listeria had not been detected in the production of the ice cream.
Symptoms of Listeria infection
While no illness from the infected ice cream have been reported, the symptoms of a Listeria infection can vary from person to person.
Below, find the list of symptoms you may experience if you have been infected with listeria.
- Fever
- Flue-like symptoms
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
“The odds of listeria being in our pints are probably close to zero,” he said.
A spokesperson for Totally Cool told The Banner that the recall was “being made out of an abundance of caution.”
As a result of the filing, Totally Cool Inc., which opened in the early 1990s, was reportedly forced to fire 68 of its 71 workers.
According to the outlet, the massive downsize came three days after the FDA told the company to halt all production lines.
Documents allegedly obtained by the outlet report that the shutdown caused the company to “suffer the loss of all revenue streams.”
In the Chapter 11 filing, the company listed $1 million to $10 million in liabilities and $500,000 to $1 million in assets.
According to executives at Totally Cool, the company plans to restructure and pay back its creditors which range from 50 to 99.
As of Thursday, the FDA reported that there have been no illnesses related to the bacteria.
