The FDA has announced an urgent recall involving ice popsicles it says could pose a serious health risk.
In an update issued May 27, the agency cautioned that certain frozen treats may have been exposed to more than one allergen that can trigger dangerous reactions in sensitive consumers.
The recall involves De Dios’ Ice Pops, a New Jersey-based company, and covers 16 popsicle flavors made by the business.
According to FDA inspectors, ‘existing manufacturing processes required improvements to prevent allergen cross-contact’.
In practice, that means some products could contain trace ingredients that aren’t declared on the packaging—creating a hazard for anyone relying on the label to avoid allergens.
The FDA noted that two dyes, Yellow 5 and Red 40, may be involved. The agency has previously said Yellow No. 5 can cause itching and hives in rare allergic reactions, and it requires synthetic food dyes to be listed on labels.
Last year, the FDA announced it was working to phase out both Yellow 5 and Red 40 by the end of 2026. Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said petroleum-based synthetic food dyes ‘offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development’.
But beyond dyes, the larger concern is that other ingredients may be present that could cause immediate, severe reactions for some people.
Those undeclared allergens include pecans, pistachios, and milk, none of which were listed on the label.
This creates the possibility that someone with a serious allergy could eat the product believing it is safe, and then experience a reaction that may become life-threatening.
Consumers who bought the recalled ice pops are being advised to check their freezers and either return the items to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them.
The FDA also said items made after April 27 2026 are not part of the recall because the company has since changed its procedures.
At the time of the notice, no related illnesses had been reported.
The recalled products were distributed in four states—Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York—and were reportedly available in stores through the end of April.
The popsicles were sold in 3.7oz packages. The affected flavors are: coco, guayaba, tamarindo, fresa con leche, nanche, nuez, arroz con leche, mango, mamey, vanilla, rompope, pistachio, limon, cookies and cream, pina colada, and grosella.
De Dios has been reported as having ‘immediately implemented corrected processes’, though investigators did not detail the specific production issues that led to the concern.
Food allergies affect millions across the US, including about three million people with peanut allergies, 330,000 with pistachio allergies, and 15 million who are allergic to cow’s milk.
In the most severe cases, allergic reactions can escalate into anaphylaxis—a medical emergency that can restrict the airways and make breathing difficult.