Friendly’s Ice Cream Recall Issued Over Undeclared Allergen Risk
Amplify Snack Brands has issued a voluntary Friendly's ice cream recall for its Celebration Ice Cream Cakes due to undeclared peanuts. The FDA-backed recall warns that the labeling error poses a serious risk to people with peanut allergies.
Amplify Snack Brands, the parent company of Friendly’s, has issued a voluntary Friendly’s ice cream recall for a specific batch of its Celebration Ice Cream Cakes. The action, announced in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was initiated after discovering the product may contain undeclared peanuts, posing a significant and potentially life-threatening risk to consumers with peanut allergies.
Key Recall Information at a Glance
For consumers seeking immediate clarity, the table below summarizes the most critical details of the recall.
| Key Fact | Detail |
| Product Recalled | Friendly’s 40oz Celebration Ice Cream Cake |
| Reason for Recall | Product contains peanuts, which are not listed on the ingredient label. |
| Specific Identifiers | UPC: 029839002239; Best By Date: August 29, 2026 |
| Consumer Action | Do not consume. Return to place of purchase for a full refund. |
Details of the Nationwide Recall
The recall is limited to the 40-ounce Friendly’s Celebration Ice Cream Cake marked with a specific Universal Product Code (UPC) and “Best By” date. According to the official notice published by the FDA, the recall affects cakes with UPC 029839002239 and a “Best By” date of August 29, 2026. No other Friendly’s products are included in this action.
The affected ice cream cakes were distributed to retailers across more than 15 states, primarily on the East Coast, including New York, Florida, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The issue was discovered after a consumer complaint prompted an internal investigation by Amplify Snack Brands. The company determined that a temporary breakdown in its packaging processes led to a limited number of peanut-containing cakes being placed in packaging that did not declare peanuts in the allergen statement.
“The safety of our consumers is our highest priority,” the company stated in a press release. “We have identified and corrected the issue at the source and are working with retailers to ensure the affected product is removed from store shelves immediately.”
The Serious Risk of Undeclared Allergens
Food allergies are a significant public health issue, and undeclared allergens are a leading cause of food recalls in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), peanuts are one of the eight major food allergens responsible for most serious allergic reactions.
Understanding Anaphylaxis
For an individual with a severe peanut allergy, ingesting even a trace amount of the allergen can trigger anaphylaxis, a rapid and potentially fatal reaction. “Anaphylaxis can impair breathing, cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure, and affect heart rate,” said Dr. Eleanor Garrow, a clinical immunologist. “It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment with epinephrine. This is why accurate labeling is not just a matter of compliance but is a critical component of food safety.”
The FDA oversees such recalls to prevent widespread public health incidents. The agency’s regulations mandate that all major allergens must be clearly identified on food labels. When a company issues a voluntary recall like this one, it is cooperating with the FDA recall framework to swiftly inform the public and remove the hazardous product from the market.
What Consumers Should Do Now
Amplify Snack Brands urges consumers who have purchased the Friendly’s Celebration Ice Cream Cake to check the UPC and “Best By” date on the packaging.
- If the codes match the recalled product: Consumers should not eat the product. They are advised to either discard it or return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. Proof of purchase is not required for the return.
- For further questions: Consumers can contact Friendly’s consumer relations department at 1-800-966-9970, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Retailers have been notified and instructed to pull all affected products from their freezers and inventory. The company has stated it is reviewing and reinforcing its allergen-handling and packaging protocols to prevent a recurrence of this error.
The investigation into the packaging error is ongoing, but the company has affirmed its commitment to resolving the issue transparently. This incident serves as a critical reminder for consumers with food allergies to remain vigilant in checking product labels, even with familiar brands, as manufacturing errors can occur.
