Dean Foods Issues Allergy Alert In 13 States

Dean Foods Co. (Franklin Park, IL) has initiated a voluntary recall of less than 10,000 gallons of Dean's Country Charm Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream and Reiter's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. The recalled product, which was produced at the company's Belvidere, IL, plant, contains cookie dough pieces having an egg ingredient that is not listed on the label's ingredient statement. Individuals who have an allergy or other sensitivity to eggs could experience a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction, if the product is consumed.

Included in the recall are all rectangular half-gallon sizes and round pint-size containers of Dean's Country Charm Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, distributed to various retailers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. In addition, Reiter brand Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream in round pint-size containers were distributed in Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania and is included in the recall. No other Dean Foods or Reiter products are affected by the recall.

The company determined that the ingredient statement on the ice cream carton was not changed to declare the presence of egg when Dean Foods changed its supplier of cookie dough. Only products produced since late October 1998 are affected by the recall.

"The risk that even one consumer might experience an allergic reaction due to our product labeling is not acceptable," said Dick Bailey, president and COO. "In addition, we are reviewing our internal procedures to assure that a similar situation does not recur."