What To Do With Your Recalled Nestle Drumsticks Ice Cream Products If Yours Were Affected

If you or your kids are fans of Drumsticks (and I don't mean the chicken variety), then Nestlé's announcement this week was an unwelcome surprise. After a piece of equipment in a Nestlé facility in Bakersfield, California tested positive for listeria, the food giant initiated a voluntary recall of two kinds of Drumstick variety packs. If your box of ice creamy goodness is affected, here's what to do with your recalled Nestlé Drumsticks.

First of all, make sure your box of ice cream actually is affected. Nestlé recalled their 16- and 24-packs of Drumstick ice cream cones, but only those that came from their Bakersfield production line. Consumers should therefore check their Drumstick variety pack's UPC, production code, and expiry date against a list posted on the Nestlé website.

Those that do indeed have a recalled Drumstick pack should either return the box to their place of purchase for a refund or contact Nestlé for a replacement. Luckily, Nestlé has made it easy for consumers to get in touch, and can be emailed (at nestleproductinquiry@casupport.com), texted, or phoned at 1-800-681-1676.

If you've already dug into your box of Drumsticks, there shouldn't be too much reason to worry. According to Nestlé, the cones themselves did not test positive for listeria, and the company hasn't received any consumer complaints so far. However, you should definitely cease and desist when it comes to eating more cones, since listeria is not a very pleasant disease, especially for pregnant moms or young children.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, listeria can cause a high fever, headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and it can be life-threatening when it infects young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women who contract listeria are also at risk for miscarriages and stillbirths. So while a last Drumstick may be tempting — especially when no infected cones have been found yet — it's best to toss the entire variety pack and have it replaced with a worry-free replacement.

"The quality and safety of our products remain our number one priority," Nestlé said in a statement posted on its website, saying the recall was issued out of "an abundance of caution." The statement continued: "We apologize for any inconvenience this action represents for both our consumers and retail customers."

So if you've brought a box of Drumsticks home recently (the affected products were produced between Aug. 31 and Sept. 17), now's the time to go check your freezer.