Huge Popsicle Recall Shows What’s Terribly Wrong With Allergen Labeling in the US

On Wednesday, Unilever issued a recall of 137,000 cases of their Popsicle Jolly Rancher Frozen Confection Pop products because the products contain milk, an ingredient not listed on the label. [See the recall notice below.]

The announcement on the FDA site issues the following warning:

Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

It also mentions: “There have been two reported allergic reactions in connection with the use of this product.” What’s not mentioned is whether the product caused moderate reactions like hives or full-blown anaphylactic episodes that sent their consumers to the ER. We also don’t know how many consumers suffered reactions without notifying the company.

Let’s have a quick look at the label:

It’s obvious this is not simply a case of mislabeling: milk is not supposed to be in the product, so it must have been introduced via error or cross-contact where an allergen is inadvertently introduced due to insufficient sanitation of the equipment or some other form of contamination.

But wait… aren’t companies required to warn you when a product is made on the same line or in the same facility as an allergen is processed? What about those “Made on equipment that also processes milk” type statements?

The answer is a resounding “NO!” Those warnings — referred to as Precautionary Allergen Labeling (PAL) in the industry — are not mandated by the FDA. The agency has no regulations regarding when they should be used, how they should be worded, or where they should appear.

Some companies include them, many don’t, and some will warn for one allergen and not another. In short, PAL warnings can warn you that a product is not safe for your allergy, but their absence does not mean the product is safe for you to consume.

The only way to know for sure whether a product is made on shared lines or in a shared facility with your allergen is to call the company and ask.

That you can’t rely on the label to warn you of the potential of cross-contact is one major weakness of allergen labeling regulations in the US. There are others we address in this article:

So, forget what you think the label is telling you; educate yourself to protect your family.

Here follows the recall statement from the FDA’s site.

Unilever U.S. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Popsicle Jolly Rancher SingleServe Frozen Confection Pops

Summary

Company Announcement Date: August 21, 2024
FDA Publish Date: August 21, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared milk
Company Name: Unilever US
Brand Name: Popsicle
Product Description: Jolly Rancher Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Grape Frozen Confection Pop

Company Announcement

Only Popsicle Jolly Rancher products marked for individual sale are impacted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey – August 21, 2024 – Unilever in the United States is recalling approximately 137,000 cases of Popsicle Jolly Rancher Frozen Confection Pop products (single serve offerings) because the products may contain milk, which is not listed as an ingredient on the label. Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The only impacted products are Popsicle Jolly Rancher Frozen Confection Pop single-serve products which are marked for individual sale. These products are typically sold through channels such as ice cream trucks, concession stands, and grab-and-go freezers throughout the United States. This recall does not apply to the 18-count Popsicle Jolly Rancher multi-pack products that are sold in grocery stores and retailers nationwide.

The following products are subject to recall:

The products were distributed nationally to wholesale distributors and operators between February 1, 2024, and August 15, 2024. The applicable UPC and lot codes can be found on the outside wrapper of the product.

This recall has been initiated as a result of findings which indicate there may be a presence of milk allergens in the product which is not disclosed on the packaging. There have been two reported allergic reactions in connection with the use of this product.

No other Unilever or Popsicle products are affected by this recall. Anyone concerned about an allergic reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled product should not consume it and should visit www.PopsicleRecall.comExternal Link Disclaimer. Consumer services representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time, at (888) 926-3554. Reimbursement will be provided with proof of purchase.

Company Contact Information

Consumers: (888) 926-3554Media: 201-500-9100 MediaRelations.NA@unilever.com

Product Photos