Two Washington state men in their 50s were recently hospitalized in connection with recalled Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice Cream, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The men, who both live in King County, are now out of the hospital and recovering, said department spokesman Donn Moyer, who added that both have underlying health conditions. One became ill at the end of November, and the other the first week of December, he said. “They were ill, the disease investigation started, they started noticing some similarities, and traced it back to this product,” Moyer said. Results from lab tests done using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) confirmed one man’s case as Listeriosis, while the other is a probable case, but Moyer noted they are “epidemiologically linked.” There was also a positive result for the same strain of Listeria in the now-recalled product, he said. Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice Cream Inc. of Snohomish, WA, has issued a voluntary recall of all ice cream, gelato, custard and sorbet for all flavors and container sizes produced on or after Jan. 1, 2014, until Dec. 15, 2014, because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products are labeled Snoqualmie Ice Cream, Snoqualmie Gelato, Snoqualmie Custard, Snoqualmie Sorbet or Emerald & Spruce Ice Cream or Top Pot Hand Forged Ice Cream and have a production date code located on the bottom of the container. The date codes included either end in “4”, e.g., XXX4 (pints and cups) or are listed by date: Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 15, 2014, (trays & tubs). The ice cream, gelato, custard and sorbet were distributed in Arizona, Idaho, California, Oregon and Washington, and may have been further distributed and sold in various retail outlets in Alaska, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. The recall was initiated based on the confirmation of a positive result of Listeria monocytogenes in the samples collected within the production facility and analyzed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). The company is working with FDA and WSDA to investigate the root cause. Customers who have purchased the affected product should dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase where they will receive a refund. On Dec. 29, Great Feeling Foods of Portland, OR also recalled of all Groove Gluten-free Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches produced between May 16, 2014 and December 20, 2014 because they contain custard ice cream base produced and recalled by Snoqualmie. Groove Gluten-free Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches were distributed to and sold in various retail outlets in Western and Central Oregon and Southwest Washington. The products are sold in 3 fl. oz. single packs and 6 fl. oz. 2-packs and labeled as Groove.  The packages have “Best By” dates located on the bottom of the package with lot codes printed above the “Best By” dates.  The following table summarizes the affected products:

Product Name UPC Codes Best By Dates Lot Codes
Groove Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie & French Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich 3 oz.: 8 52692 00404 6 6 oz.: 8 52692 00400 8 010715, 041715, 050915, 071115, 072215, 081215, 081915, 092415 Ending in the digits “14”  (e.g. XXXX14)
Groove Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Cookie & French Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich 3 oz.: 8 52692 00405 3 6 oz.: 8 52692 00403 9 010715, 041715, 050915, 071115, 072215, 081215, 081915, 092415 Ending in the digits “14”  (e.g. XXXX14)
Groove Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookie & French Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich 3 oz.: 8 52692 00406 0 6 oz.: 8 52692 00402 2 010715, 041715, 050915, 071115, 072215, 081215, 081915, 092415 Ending in the digits “14”  (e.g. XXXX14)
Groove Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookie & French Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich 3 oz.: 8 52692 00407 7 6 oz.: 8 52692 00401 5 010715, 041715, 050915, 071115, 072215, 081215, 081915, 092415 Ending in the digits “14”  (e.g. XXXX14)
Groove Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Cookie & French Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich 3 oz.: 8 52692 00409 1 6 oz.: 8 52692 00408 4 010715, 041715, 050915, 071115, 072215, 081215, 081915, 092415 Ending in the digits “14”  (e.g. XXXX14)
Groove Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookie & French Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich 3 oz.: 8 52692 00411 4 6 oz.: 8 52692 00410 7 010715, 041715, 050915, 071115, 072215, 081215, 081915, 092415 Ending in the digits “14”  (e.g. XXXX14)

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.