Product recall issued for Haagen-Dazs ice cream over contamination fears

A warning has been issued over a popular ice cream stocked in Coles and Woolworths, with fears it may have been contaminated with a harmful chemical.

A popular ice cream brand sold in major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles has issued a mass product recall over contamination fears of a potentially toxic chemical.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued a warning over Haagen-Dazs’ Vanilla 457ml and Häagen-Dazs Classic Collection Mini Cups 4 x 95mL over the potential presence of ethylene oxide.

The flammable gas is used to produce antifreeze and can be used as a pesticide or a sterilising agent as well. It is also considered to be carcinogenic.

A recall has been issued for the popular ice creams. Picture: Haagen-Dazs.

Consumption of ethylene oxide can cause irritation to the gastrointestinal or respiratory tracts, while exposure can lead to eye pain, vomiting, headaches, sore throat, difficulty breathing and blurred vision, the CDC reports.

Chronic inhalation can also lead to cataracts, cognitive impairment, neurological dysfunction, and the malfunction of the peripheral nerves (disabling polyneuropathies).

According to FSANZ, the listed products with the best before dates between July 4 and July 21 should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. While the 457mL vanilla tubs are sold all over Australia at Coles, Woolworths and independent retailers like IGA, the Classic Collection Mini Cups are only sold at Coles.

The ice cream was recalled after the fears it contained traces of ethylene oxide. Picture: Denis Charlet / AFP

“Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice,” the recall lists.

In Australia, the popular global ice cream brand is distributed by General Mills, which also oversees supermarket labels like Old El Paso, Nature Valley, Latina Fresh and Better Crocker.

In May this year, a similar recall was also issued by the Therapeutic Goods Administration over Elordis’ Ellura urinary tract health supplements.

It was feared a batch which was available for sale from July 1, 2021 was contaminated with ethylene oxide, which may have been used in the manufacturing of the capsule shells, and then present in the finished medicine in “very small quantities”.

However, the TGA stated that people who followed the product’s recommended dosage were at very low risk of exposure.