Everything We Know About H-E-B's Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recall

Frequent shoppers of the Southern grocery chain H-E-B may want to scrutinize their freezes more closely this week. The Texas-based company, which has over 400 locations in the U.S. and Mexico, recently announced a voluntary recall of a popular flavor of store-brand ice cream due to a major mislabeling mix-up (via H-E-B).

The recall, posted to the FDA website, revolves around cartons of H‑E‑B Select Ingredients Creamy Creations Light Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, which is part of the company's reduced-fat and reduced-calorie ice cream line. The product was determined to potentially contain an undeclared allergen — wheat — which wasn't listed on the product label.

The mislabeling mishap was identified when customers discovered that some containers of the mint-flavored ice cream contained the company's Creamy Creations Light Cookies & Cream Ice Cream — a product that contains wheat. According to H-E-B, the impacted ice cream was distributed to stores across Texas and Mexico. It was also distributed to Mi Tienda markets throughout the Southern state.

The recall announcement released on the FDA's website shares that the recalled products include half-gallon containers of H-E-B Creamy Creation Light Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream with the UPC number 4122048399 and a best-by date of January 6, 2023. Since discovering the frozen food mix-up, the grocer has removed all the affected ice cream cartons from store shelves. As of now, no illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported as a result of this case of mistaken ice cream identity. However, the grocery company urges customers — particularly those with a severe wheat allergy — to return the mislabeled ice cream to their nearest H-E-B store for a full refund.

"People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products," the company wrote in the announcement. While it is unclear if all containers of the mint-flavored ice cream contain the wrong batch, gluten-intolerant ice cream lovers in possession of the impacted cartons should act with caution around the cool, creamy confection.