Blue Bell Ice Cream lovers in Huntsville are cautioned to check their freezers for a mispackaged flavor recalled by the creamery, which the Food and Drug Administration classified as a health risk for those with tree-nut allergens.
The company’s announcement, posted on the FDA’s website on Aug. 22, disclosed that an ice cream flavor containing nuts was packaged in the wrong half-gallon cartons. This error resulted in undeclared walnuts, pecans and almonds.
The affected flavor—“Moo-llennium Crunch”—was mislabeled as “Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough” and distributed in limited quantity across 16 states, including Texas, according to the recall.
Two food court locations on Sam Houston State University’s campus currently serve Blue Bell products. These locations include Sammy’s Shakes in the Lowman Student Center and Sammy’s Scoops in the South Paw building.
While SHSU’s food service management did not respond to questions from The Houstonian as of publishing and could not confirm whether they had the recalled ice cream flavor, “Moo-llennium Crunch” was listed on the in-person menu at Sammy’s Scoops upon visitation.
Shoppers at a local H-E-B grocery store located on 1702 11th St. expressed their concern in reaction to news of the recall.
Among them was Marko Hernandez, a Huntsville resident and experimental psychology major in the master’s program at the university.
“That’s a pretty big concern and also, like, a big waste,” Hernandez said, acknowledging the number of mislabeled cartons being pulled by the company. “I’m assuming they’re not going to reuse it once they have it back.”
Hernandez clarified that he is not a frequent buyer of the Texas-based ice cream brand and prefers some of its competitors. Nevertheless, this mistake only heightens his hesitancy to purchase Blue Bell products in the future, he admitted.
Mary Golden was another Huntsville resident and shopper who recognized the potentially fatal consequences of the recalled ice cream flavor being consumed by the wrong person.
“Some people are so sensitive to nuts and it could be, you know, a life-or-death kind of thing,” Golden said, before sharing that the incident would not affect her decision to buy from the brand again.
“I’ll continue to buy Blue Bell. I don’t think you can produce that much of an item and not have an occasional ‘Oops,’” she explained with a shrug.
Blue Bell Creameries urges customers who may have bought the half-gallon product to return it to its place of purchase for a refund, USA Today reported on Aug. 25.
Customers with any further questions or comments are encouraged to call 979-836-7977 or email the company at [email protected].
