Penn State Creamery Voluntarily Recalls Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt

If you stocked up on ice cream or frozen yogurt during a summer visit to the Penn State Berkey Creamery at the University Park campus in State College, better check the label before you finish off what you've got left.

The creamery is voluntarily recalling all ice cream and frozen yogurt it produced between May 16 and Aug. 11 due to isolated reports that people have found small plastic objects in the frozen treats, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. No injuries have resulted from those incidents.

The creamery is "erring on the side of caution and safety for the consuming public" in issuing the voluntary recall, FDA officials said.The recall also covers ice cream and frozen yogurt purchased through the creamery’s website and shipped to patrons.

FDA officials, in a statement, said university police in August began a criminal investigation after receiving several isolated reports that small foreign objects were found in ice cream manufactured by the creamery. The creamery has received three reports of consumers finding small plastic pieces less than an inch in size in its products, the FDA said.

Those reports involved half-gallon containers, but the creamery recall covers all ice cream and frozen yogurt in all container sizes made during the specified time.

Ice cream subject to the recall will bear a "Best if used by" date on the label between Feb. 10, 2013 and Aug. 11, 2013. Consumers who have purchased ice cream or frozen yogurt covered by this recall should not eat the product and should return it for a full refund or exchange.

Consumers with questions may contact the creamery toll-free at 1-855-677-0464.

"The safety of the public is our No. 1 concern," creamery Manager Tom Palchak said in a statement. "Although by all accounts these appear to be isolated incidents, they are troubling to say the least.

"We have a longstanding reputation for safety at the creamery and a product that consumers trust," he said. "We are erring on the side of caution with this recall and in taking the actions we are taking to prevent any recurrence."

An independent investigation is not conclusive but suggests that the objects did not enter the ice cream during manufacturing, according to the FDA. The creamery has enhanced security to protect its products and prevent tampering.

These measures include limiting access to production and packaging areas, increasing surveillance and adding an X-ray device and metal detectors, among others. The creamery also plans to change its packaging to make it resistant to tampering, the FDA said.