Publix Ice Cream Recall Gets FDA's Highest Risk Warning
Publix recalled its Rich & Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream on October 14 because of possible undeclared eggs. The FDA hit it with a Class I risk classification November 18—their highest warning level.
Class I means "reasonable probability" the product will cause "serious adverse health consequences or death."
The Mix-Up
Half-gallon containers labeled as vanilla might actually contain French vanilla with mismatched lids. French vanilla has eggs. Regular vanilla doesn't always.
People with egg allergies who bought what they thought was egg-free vanilla could be eating something that triggers serious reactions. Hives and lip swelling on the mild end. Anaphylaxis—the kind that stops you from breathing—on the bad end.
What Got Recalled
Publix Rich & Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream
UPC code: 41415 03043
Lot code: PLT 13-575
Sell-by date: June 19, 2026
Distributed to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida stores. But not Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Tampa, Sarasota, Virginia, or North Carolina locations.
Check your freezer if you're in an affected state.
No Illnesses Yet
As of October 14, no illnesses were reported. This doesn't mean people with egg allergies should take chances.
Dr. Sebastian Lighvani from New York Allergy & Asthma told Newsweek: "Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food."
Anaphylaxis rates have jumped 300 to 400% in the U.S. over the past 20 years. Food allergies aren't a joke.
What Publix Says
Maria Brous, Publix's communications director: "Potentially impacted product has been removed from all store shelves. To date, there have been no reported cases of illness. Consumers who have purchased the product in question may return it to their local store for a full refund."
Call Publix at 1-800-242-1227 with questions or visit publix.com.
The Label Problem
Law requires food labels identify all major allergens. Reading labels helps. But when containers get mismatched during production, even careful label readers get impacted.
What Class I Means
The FDA issues three risk classifications. Class I is the worst—products that could cause serious health problems or death.
Most recalls are Class II (might cause temporary problems) or Class III (unlikely to cause issues). Class I is reserved for serious stuff.
Publix's vanilla ice cream earning Class I means the FDA considers the egg allergen risk severe enough for their highest warning. People with severe egg allergies could die from eating this ice cream.
What to Do
If you bought Publix Rich & Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream with lot code PLT 13-575 and sell-by date June 19, 2026, don't eat it if anyone in your household has an egg allergy.
Return it to Publix for a full refund. Or throw it away. Just don't eat it if eggs trigger reactions.
The recall is ongoing. Issue hasn't been fully resolved yet.
Check Your Freezer
Only 1,452 units got recalled. Not massive compared to some recalls. But for people who bought those specific containers, it matters a lot.
Look for the UPC code, lot code, and sell-by date. If you've got the recalled product and anyone in your house has an egg allergy, get rid of it.
Return or trash it. Don't gamble with anaphylaxis over ice cream.
The recall notice came out over a month ago but the Class I classification just happened November 18. If you bought this ice cream since early October and haven't checked, do it now.
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