Ice Cream, Chips Recalled in LA Area

Straus Family Creamery, Utz Quality Foods and Blackstone Products have recalled food products sold in California in a cluster of notices posted in April and May 2026, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the California Department of Public Health and Los Angeles County Public Health. The recalls cover select Straus organic ice cream, limited varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips, and Blackstone Parmesan Ranch seasoning. Los Angeles County Public Health said the chip and seasoning recalls affected multiple sites in the county, and it maintains a page tracking recalled food products. Consumers were told not to eat the affected items and to check packaging details before discarding or returning them. ### Which ice cream is covered by the recall? Straus Family Creamery said on May 14 that it was voluntarily recalling a small number of production runs of select flavors and sizes of its organic ice cream because of the potential presence of metal foreign material. The FDA published the company’s notice on May 15. The affected ice cream was distributed to retailers in 17 states, including California, and had been on shelves beginning May 4, according to the FDA posting. (fda.gov) The Straus recall applies only to specific production runs identified by best-by dates on pint and quart containers, not to all ice cream sold by the company. Straus said no injuries had been reported and told consumers to discard the recalled product rather than eat it or return it to a store. The company directed customers seeking a replacement voucher to its recall support page and listed a customer support phone number and email. (fda.gov) ### Which chips were pulled from shelves? Utz Quality Foods said on May 4 that it was recalling certain limited varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips in the United States. The FDA notice said the recall followed a warning that a seasoning containing dry milk powder, sourced from California Dairies and supplied by a third-party supplier, may contain Salmonella. (fda.gov) The affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella before use, Utz said, but the company recalled the listed products “out of an abundance of caution.” The recall was limited to the specific Zapp’s and Dirty chip products listed by UPC, best-by date and batch code, and no other Utz-made products were included, the FDA notice said. Utz said no illnesses had been reported in connection with the recalled chips. (fda.gov) ### What is the issue with the seasoning blend? Blackstone Products recalled Blackstone Parmesan Ranch seasoning on May 15 because of possible Salmonella contamination, according to a California Department of Public Health recall sheet. The notice identifies 7.3-ounce clear plastic containers with lot codes 2025-43282, 2025-46172 and 2026-54751, and best-if-used-by dates of July 2, August 5 and August 12, 2027. Distribution was listed as nationwide, including California, with online sales through Blackstone’s website. (fda.gov) Los Angeles County Public Health said the Blackstone seasoning reached multiple sites in the county. The county’s recall page says consumers who have recalled products should return them to the place of purchase or follow the full press release for disposal instructions. ### How serious are the contamination risks? The FDA said Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems. (cdph.ca.gov) Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, the agency notice said. In rare cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and lead to more severe illness. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) Metal fragments pose a different hazard. Straus said the issue involved potential foreign material in the ice cream, and the company told consumers not to eat affected products. The recall notice did not report any injuries. ### How can shoppers check whether they have a recalled item? Best-by dates, UPCs and batch or lot codes are the key identifiers in all three recalls. (fda.gov) Straus listed affected ice cream runs by flavor, container size and best-by date. Utz listed each recalled chip item by size, UPC, best-by date and batch code. Blackstone listed one seasoning product with three lot codes and three best-if-used-by dates. (fda.gov) Los Angeles County Public Health said its recall page was last updated on May 15, 2026, and that it audits retailers to help ensure contaminated products are removed from shelves. The county also said people who think they became sick from food can file a foodborne illness complaint or call 1-888-397-3993. (publichealth.lacounty.gov) (fda.gov)