Amid the ongoing battle with food labeling failures, Gordon Desserts has now recalled over 5,000 packages of mochi ice cream that could trigger severe allergic reactions in unsuspecting customers.
Key Takeaways
- Gordon Desserts (Mochidoki) has recalled 5,016 packages of Sundae Shoppe Cookies and Cream Mochi Ice Cream due to undeclared wheat and soy allergens.
- The affected products were distributed to stores in Connecticut, Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
- No illnesses have been reported yet, but the recall is classified as Class II, indicating lower risk of serious health consequences.
- Nine specific lot codes are affected: 32624, 34024, 01025, 03125, 05725, 06525, 08025, 08725, 09225.
- Consumers should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
The Latest in a String of Food Labeling Failures
Food labeling failures continue to pose serious risks to American consumers with specific dietary restrictions. Gordon Desserts, operating as Mochidoki, initiated a recall on April 3, 2025, for thousands of packages of their Sundae Shoppe Cookies and Cream Mochi Ice Cream. The products, manufactured at their Totowa, New Jersey facility, contain undeclared wheat and soy – major allergens that can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals. This oversight exposes the ongoing challenges in food manufacturing safety protocols and proper ingredient disclosure.
The affected mochi ice cream was packaged in 6-count, 7.5-ounce plastic sealed trays inside paper cartons, with 8 cartons per shipper. The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, suggesting a lower probability of serious adverse health consequences, though wheat and soy allergens can cause reactions ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening anaphylaxis in susceptible individuals. The company distributed these products to retailers across four states – Connecticut, Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Another Mochi Manufacturer’s Similar Recent Recall
In a separate but similar incident, The Mochi Ice Cream Company LLC issued an allergy alert for undeclared egg in their Peach Mango Sorbet product. This incident involved 1,350 cases nationwide with the potential presence of pasteurized cooked egg white not listed on the packaging. Unlike the Gordon Desserts recall, this situation has already resulted in two reported allergic reactions. The incident stemmed from what the company described as a “temporary breakdown in packaging processes,” raising questions about quality control standards in food manufacturing facilities.
The affected My Mochi Peach Mango Sorbet products came in orange 6-count boxes weighing 7.5 ounces, with lot numbers 337-24 and 341-24. For consumers with egg allergies, exposure to these inadvertently contaminated products could potentially trigger serious or life-threatening allergic reactions. This pattern of allergen mislabeling across multiple manufacturers suggests a concerning trend in food safety compliance and enforcement that puts vulnerable consumers at unnecessary risk.
Consumer Actions and Health Implications
Gordon Desserts has reported no illnesses or adverse reactions related to their recall of Sundae Shoppe mochi products. However, the presence of undeclared wheat and soy poses significant health risks to individuals with these specific allergies. Those who have purchased the affected lots (32624, 34024, 01025, 03125, 05725, 06525, 08025, 08725, and 09225) should immediately check their freezers and either discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Food allergies affect millions of Americans, with wheat and soy being among the eight major allergens responsible for most serious food allergic reactions. These allergies can manifest through symptoms ranging from mild rashes and digestive issues to severe respiratory distress and potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. The recurring nature of these types of recalls raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current FDA oversight and inspection procedures in ensuring that food manufacturers properly identify all allergens on their product labels.
The Broader Food Safety Landscape
This recall highlights the ongoing challenges in America’s food safety system. Despite stringent FDA regulations requiring clear labeling of major allergens, breakdowns in manufacturing processes continue to put vulnerable consumers at risk. The financial impact on companies like Gordon Desserts pales in comparison to the potential health consequences for unsuspecting consumers with allergies. With two separate mochi manufacturers experiencing allergen-related recalls in close succession, industry-wide examination of quality control procedures seems warranted.
The recurring nature of these types of recalls demonstrates the need for stronger accountability measures and possibly increased penalties for companies that fail to properly label their products. While the FDA classifies this particular recall as lower risk, the reality is that for someone with severe wheat or soy allergies, consuming these mislabeled products could result in a medical emergency. Americans deserve confidence that the foods they purchase contain exactly what is listed on the label—nothing more and nothing less.
