Introduction
Ice cream is a yummy treat we all love. It’s great for hot days or fun parties. But in 2025, some ice cream got people sick because of a germ called listeria. Listeria can make you very ill. This article tells you about the 2025 ice cream recalls, who is responsible, and how you can get money if you got sick.
I’m Orland Howell. I’ve spent four years writing about lawsuits, especially ones about food safety. I make hard legal stuff easy to understand. My facts come from trusted places like the FDA and CDC. This article uses simple words so everyone can follow.
If you ate bad ice cream and feel sick, go to a doctor. Save your receipts and doctor papers. They help if you want to make a claim.
What is Listeria and Why is it in Ice Cream?
Listeria is a bad germ. Its full name is Listeria monocytogenes. It lives in dirt, water, and animals. It can get into food when people make or pack it.
Ice cream is cold, and most germs can’t grow in the cold. But listeria is different. It can grow in freezers and cold factories, like on wet floors or dirty machines. Listeria gets into ice cream from bad milk or unclean tools. Factories need to clean everything well, but sometimes they mess up. That causes recalls and sick people.
If you get listeria, you might feel fever, headache, or a sick stomach. These signs show up 1 to 4 weeks after eating bad food. They can last up to 70 days. Healthy people might feel okay, but listeria is very bad for babies, old people, pregnant women, and those who get sick easily. It can cause serious problems or even death.
The CDC says about 1,600 people in the U.S. get listeria every year, and about 260 die. In 2025, ice cream problems made this worse.
Big Ice Cream Recalls in 2025
In 2025, the FDA found listeria in some ice cream factories. Companies stopped selling the bad ice cream and took it out of stores. Here are the main recalls.
Rich’s Ice Cream Recall (July 2025)
Rich’s Ice Cream Co. in Florida took back over 110,000 boxes of ice cream bars. These went to 23 states, like Alabama, Florida, and New York. Schools and ice cream trucks sold them.
- Products: Chocolate eclair, strawberry shortcake, orange cream, and other flavors. Check lot numbers 24351 to 25156.
- Why?: Tests found listeria in the factory.
- Risk: The FDA says it’s a Class II recall. It might make you sick for a short time, but it’s not usually super bad.
- What to Do: Throw the ice cream away. Call Rich’s at 1-561-833-7585 for help.
No one got sick yet, but kids and older people are at risk.
Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Shakes Recall (February 2025)
Lyons Magnus LLC recalled frozen shakes, like ice cream drinks, used in nursing homes. They have best-by dates from February 21, 2025, to February 21, 2026.
- Products: 4-ounce shakes in vanilla, chocolate, and other flavors.
- Why?: Listeria was in the Indiana factory. It caused 42 people to get sick in 21 states. There were 12 deaths since 2018, many in 2025.
- Risk: Very high, especially for weak people in nursing homes.
- What to Do: Don’t eat them. Return them to where you got them. The FDA says Prairie Farms Dairy caused the problem.
This recall stopped sales, but some old shakes might still be around.
Fresh & Ready Foods Recall (May 2025)
Fresh & Ready Foods recalled snacks, including some ice cream-like items. They have use-by dates from April 22 to May 19, 2025.
- Products: Sandwiches and snacks sold in places like Arizona and California.
- Why?: Listeria was found in factory tests. It made 10 people sick in two states. Everyone went to the hospital.
- Risk: The outbreak is done, but check your dates.
- What to Do: Throw them out. They were sold in stores and airports.
These recalls show factories need to test a lot. The FDA helps fix problems fast.
Who Is to Blame in Listeria Ice Cream Lawsuits?
If bad ice cream makes you sick, you can sue. A lawsuit decides who pays for your trouble. In food cases, the blame goes to people who didn’t keep the food safe.
Strict Liability: No Need to Prove They Messed Up
In most states, food companies are under strict liability. This means if their ice cream makes you sick, they have to pay. You don’t need to prove they did something wrong. The ice cream was bad, so they’re in trouble.
For example, in 2015, Blue Bell paid millions because their ice cream had listeria. Courts said food companies must follow strict rules.
Negligence: They Didn’t Try Hard Enough
You can also sue for negligence. This means the company didn’t take enough care. For example:
- They used dirty machines.
- They didn’t test for germs.
- They waited too long to recall bad ice cream.
In the 2025 Rich’s recall, if you get sick, you could sue for bad cleaning. FDA reports can prove it.
Who Can You Sue?
- Companies: Like Rich’s or Lyons Magnus, who make the ice cream.
- Stores: If they sold bad ice cream and didn’t warn you.
- Suppliers: Like farms or milk companies if they sent bad ingredients.
In 2025, a mom sued Ice Cream House and a store. Her baby died from listeria in vanilla fudge ice cream. She wants $30 million because the factory and store messed up.
Sometimes, many people sue together in a class action for small things like refunds. But if you’re very sick, a personal lawsuit can pay more.
As an expert, I know negligence cases can win big. Companies must follow FDA rules, or they lose in court.
What We Learned from Past Ice Cream Lawsuits
Old cases teach us about money and how to fix things.
Blue Bell Creameries (2015)
Blue Bell recalled all their ice cream. Listeria made 10 people sick and killed 3. They knew about the germ but hid it.
- What Happened: They paid $17.25 million in fines and $2 million to settle. One man got money for brain damage.
- Lesson: Hiding germs gets bosses in big trouble, even jail.
In 2025, companies recall faster to avoid this.
Big Olaf Creamery (2021-2022)
In Florida, listeria in soft serve made 28 people sick. One person died.
- What Happened: A family got $4 million after a woman died. Her husband sued for her medical bills.
- Lesson: Small shops need to clean their machines well.
Real Kosher Ice Cream (2023, Affects 2025)
They recalled soft serve cups, and people filed a class action.
- What Happened: The case is still going. They want refunds and better labels.
- Lesson: Labels must tell the truth.
In 2025, Totally Cool had a class action after a 2024 recall. No one got sick, but people sued for being scared. They got $10 to $50 each.
These cases show courts make sure companies follow rules.
How Much Money Can You Get?
The money you get depends on how sick you got. Every case is different.
Kinds of Money You Can Get
- Doctor Bills: For hospital visits and tests, usually $5,000 to $50,000 examples from past cases.
- Lost Pay: Money for days you couldn’t work, maybe $1,000 or more per day.
- Pain and Suffering: For feeling bad or scared, courts give $10,000 to $100,000 for bad cases.
- Death Cases: If someone dies, families can get $1 million or more for losing their loved one, according to past cases.
Listeria lawsuits usually pay $50,000 to $500,000 examples from past cases. If someone dies, it can be millions.
Examples from Old Cases
- Blue Bell (2015): One person got over $1 million for almost dying.
- Big Olaf (2021-2022): A family got $4 million, including $1 million to punish the company.
- Boar’s Head (2024, like ice cream): A class action paid $3.1 million.
In 2025, Lyons shakes cases in nursing homes might pay $100,000 or more per family.
How to Get Your Money
- Go to a doctor and test for listeria.
- Keep proof, like ice cream packages, receipts, and doctor papers.
- Talk to a lawyer. Many don’t charge unless you win.
- Sue or join a class action within 1 to 3 years of getting sick.
As Orland Howell, I say: Act fast. Proof can disappear.
What to Do If You Ate Bad Ice Cream
Worried about bad ice cream? Here’s what to do:
- Check your freezer for recalled ice cream. Look at lot numbers and dates on the FDA list.
- Throw away bad ice cream and clean your freezer with soap.
- Watch for fever, stiff neck, or stomach problems. Call a doctor if you’re sick.
- Tell the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
- Talk to a lawyer for free. Keep track of your bills.
Pregnant women and older people need to be extra careful. Listeria hits them harder.
How to Stay Safe
Companies need to make safer food, but you can help yourself:
- Buy ice cream from big, trusted brands.
- Check the FDA website every week for recalls.
- Wash your hands before eating.
- Don’t eat old ice cream.
Factories should clean every day, test for germs, and train their workers.
Conclusion
Listeria in ice cream is scary. The 2025 recalls, like Rich’s and Lyons, show how dangerous it can be. But laws protect you. Companies that mess up have to pay. You can get money for doctor bills, pain, or worse. If you got sick, get help. A lawsuit can give you justice. This article is just for information. It’s not legal advice. Talk to a lawyer for help.
Disclaimer
This article uses facts from the FDA, CDC, and courts as of September 25, 2025. Laws can change. Check the latest news. We can’t promise what will happen in lawsuits. Talk to a lawyer for advice.
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Orland Howell is a seasoned content writer with four years of deep expertise in crafting compelling and informative content about lawsuit settlements. With a keen understanding of legal nuances and a talent for translating complex topics into clear, engaging narratives, Orland helps law firms, legal professionals, and clients communicate effectively. His work spans blog posts, articles, whitepapers, and website content, all designed to educate, inform, and drive results. Passionate about empowering audiences with knowledge, Orland combines precision, creativity, and industry insight to deliver content that resonates and builds trust.
