Wells Enterprises has issued a nationwide recall of nearly 18,000 tubs of bulk ice cream and frozen yogurt after reports that some containers may contain shards of plastic, posing a potential choking hazard. The Iowa-based manufacturer, known for brands such as Blue Bunny and Halo Top, initiated the recall after internal investigations found foreign material contamination in a number of large-format products sold to food service distributors.
The Food and Drug Administration classified the recall as Class II, indicating that while the risk of serious health consequences is remote, consumption could result in medically reversible harm, such as lacerations or choking. The affected products were sold in three-gallon tubs to restaurants, cafeterias, and commercial food outlets, not retail grocery stores.
The products were distributed to over 100 facilities across the United States. Though the FDA did not disclose which states were impacted, the wide distribution network suggests a multi-state scope. No injuries or illnesses have been reported as of Thursday.
Wells Enterprises identified 22 specific product lines in the recall, including multiple flavors such as Vanilla Frozen Yogurt (5,280 tubs), Glenview Farms French Vanilla Ice Cream (2,261 tubs), and Vanilla Flavored Ice Cream (1,573 tubs). Other recalled flavors include Rocky Road, Cotton Candy, Mocha Almond Fudge, and Scooper Hero.
All affected items feature "Best If Used By" dates ranging from March to October 2026. A full list of recalled products and UPC codes has been published by the FDA.
Food safety experts say plastic contamination in ice cream can originate during several stages of production, particularly during mixing or packaging. Byron D. Chaves, a food science professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said, "Hard plastic, for example, may originate from ingredients like toppings or from utensils such as mixing paddles. Such incidents can indicate a breach in supplier controls and good manufacturing practices."
"Extraneous material may become a physical hazard and cause lacerations (cuts), occlusion (choking) and other injuries to the tongue, gums and teeth," Chaves added, noting that larger plastic pieces may be visible to consumers, which may have contributed to the lower Class II classification.
The recall follows a separate frozen dessert recall earlier this year, when My Moci pulled more than 1,300 cases of Peach Mango Sorbet due to undeclared egg white ingredients, which triggered allergic reactions in at least two individuals.
