The FDA is warning Americans of ice pops that could cause a ‘life-threatening allergic reaction.’
Tropicale Foods of Ontario, California, is recalling a variety of its Helados Mexico and La Michoacana ice pops from stores across the country because they may contain undeclared milk.
People who have a milk allergy may be at risk of a severe reaction if they eat the product.
The ice pops were sold nationwide at stores including Walmart, Dollar Tree and Safeway.
The recall was initiated after a variety of products were found to contain milk but were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the ingredient.
An investigation found that though the products included ‘cream’ in the ingredient lists, the common name ‘milk’ was not declared. Approximately 6.2 million Americans have a milk allergy, making it one of the most common food allergies.
The discovery was made after the company conducted an audit of all its product labels.
One consumer illness has been reported to date in connection to the recall, according to the FDA, but no details were revealed.
The FDA is warning Americans of ice pops that could cause a ‘life-threatening allergic reaction’ (stock image)
Some of the affected flavors include coconut, strawberry, bubble gum, cookies and cream and mango.
These were sold as single ice pops and also in variety packs.
The best buy dates range from May 29, 2026 to July 14, 2027.
Customers who bought the product and are allergic or sensitive to milk are urged to discard it or return it to the place of purchase.
Milk can cause severe reactions in the 30 to 50million Americans with lactose intolerance and the 7million with dairy allergies.
People who are lactose intolerant cannot properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products.
This occurs because their bodies don’t produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to break down lactose.
Tropicale Foods of Ontario, California, is recalling a variety of its Helados Mexico and La Michoacana ice pops from stores across the country because they may contain undeclared milk
Undigested lactose then travels to the gut and gets fermented by bacteria, leading to digestive distress.
Symptoms usually start within 30 minutes to two hours of consuming a dairy product and include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating and gas.
Additionally, roughly two percent of Americans – 6.6million – are allergic to milk.
Symptoms of an allergy include hives, wheezing, coughing, congestion, face and throat swelling and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
This is a life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs very quickly after being exposed to an allergen.
It triggers an extreme immune response, leading to dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath and vomiting.
If not treated quickly with epinephrine (adrenaline), which can be administered via injection like an EpiPen or nasal spray, a person can die.
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