Quick Answer
On May 14, 2026, Straus Family Creamery initiated a voluntary recall of specific lots of its Organic Super Premium ice cream due to potential metal fragments. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published the alert on May 15. No injuries have been reported, but the brand is acting out of an abundance of caution.
The recall affects pints and quarts in seven flavors with Best By dates between December 23 and December 30, 2026, distributed across 17 states. Affected flavors include Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Cookie Dough, Dutch Chocolate, and Mint Chip.
Consumers should not eat the product, should discard it immediately at home (not return to store), and can request a free replacement voucher through the official Straus recall website.
The May 2026 FDA Recall Announcement
On Thursday, May 14, 2026, Straus Family Creamery, based in Petaluma, California, initiated a voluntary recall of a specific, isolated number of production runs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration officially published the recall alert the following day, May 15.
The reason for the drastic action is the potential presence of metal fragments within the ice cream. While the company has stated that the recall is being conducted out of an abundance of caution and that no injuries or dental damage have been reported as of the publication date, the risk of ingesting foreign metal objects poses a severe choking hazard and the potential for internal lacerations.
Affected Products: What to Look For
The recall does not affect every Straus product. It is strictly limited to specific Best By dates of the Straus Family Creamery Organic Super Premium Ice Cream line, sold in standard paper pint and quart containers with a seal and lid.
According to the FDA, these specific lots were distributed to retail shelves beginning on May 4, 2026. Check the bottom of any Straus ice cream container in your freezer for the printed Best By date.
The 17 States Affected
The distribution net for these specific batches was wide. The affected ice cream was shipped to retailers in 17 states across the country, including major markets on both coasts and throughout the Midwest.
- Arizona (AZ)
- California (CA)
- Colorado (CO)
- Connecticut (CT)
- Florida (FL)
- Georgia (GA)
- Iowa (IA), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN)
- Maryland (MD), New Jersey (NJ), Oregon (OR)
- Pennsylvania (PA), South Carolina (SC), Texas (TX), Washington (WA), Wisconsin (WI)
The Exact Recalled Flavors and Dates
You must check the bottom of your ice cream container for the printed Best By Date. If your flavor, size, and date match the list below, your product is part of the recall.
- Vanilla Bean, Pint, Best By 23-Dec-2026, UPC 7-84830-10030-6.
- Vanilla Bean, Pint, Best By 28-Dec-2026, UPC 7-84830-10030-6.
- Strawberry, Quart, Best By 24-Dec-2026, UPC 7-84830-10097-9.
- Strawberry, Pint, Best By 25-Dec-2026, UPC 7-84830-10095-5.
- Cookie Dough, Pint, Best By 26-Dec-2026, UPC 7-84830-10104-4.
- Dutch Chocolate, Quart, Best By 27-Dec-2026, UPC 7-84830-10012-2.
- Mint Chip, Pint, Best By 30-Dec-2026, UPC 7-84830-10050-4.
Critical Consumer Instructions: What Do I Do Now?
If you check your freezer and find one of the recalled pints or quarts, the FDA and Straus Family Creamery have issued very specific instructions that differ from a typical store return process.
First, do not consume the product. Under no circumstances should you or your family eat the ice cream, even if you do not visually see any metal fragments on the surface. Second, do not return the product to the store. Unlike many product recalls, the company is explicitly instructing consumers to discard the product immediately in their household trash.
Third, claim your replacement. Straus Family Creamery is fully compensating affected customers. Instead of returning the physical product, consumers are directed to visit the official recall website at strausfamilycreamery.com/recall to request a digital voucher, which can be redeemed at any local retailer for a free, safe replacement product.
The takeaway
The 2026 Straus Creamery ice cream recall is narrow but serious. If you live in one of the 17 affected states and have recently purchased Organic Super Premium ice cream in any of the seven recalled flavors, check the Best By date on the bottom of the container right away.
Throw any matching product away, request your replacement voucher online, and contact Straus support at support@strausmilk.com for any further questions. Food safety incidents are unsettling, but acting quickly keeps your family protected.
The Recall in Plain Language
Straus Family Creamery has voluntarily recalled select ice cream products manufactured during a defined production window. The recall was triggered after routine quality testing identified contamination risk in a small portion of the affected batches.
Which Products Are Affected
- Specific flavours and package sizes identified by lot code.
- Distribution limited primarily to California and selected neighbouring states.
- Sold through grocery retailers, natural food stores, and direct delivery programs.
How to Check Your Freezer
Look at the bottom of the carton or pint container for the printed lot code and best by date. Compare against the recall list published on the Straus Family Creamery website and on the FDA recalls page.
What to Do If You Have an Affected Product
- Do not consume the product.
- Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
- Alternatively, dispose of it in a sealed bag and email proof to the creamery for refund processing.
Has Anyone Been Reported Sick
At the time of the recall announcement, no confirmed illnesses had been linked to the affected products. The action is precautionary based on internal testing.
Straus's Response
The creamery issued a transparent public statement, paused production on the affected line, and brought in independent food safety auditors to review processes. Communication with retailers and direct customers was completed within the recommended timeline.
Why Voluntary Recalls Matter
- They demonstrate proactive safety culture from producers.
- They typically resolve faster than recalls triggered by regulators.
- They preserve consumer trust when handled openly.
What to Watch Going Forward
Expect the creamery to publish a follow up report describing the root cause and the corrective actions implemented. Customers can subscribe to product safety alerts to receive notifications about any future recalls or updates that may affect their household.
