Tropicale Foods Recalls Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack Due to Possible Salmonella

Consumers who purchased the ice cream variety pack with a best-by date of Oct. 11, 2025, should dispose of the pack and not consume the product, says FDA.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Tropicale Foods of Modesto, California, has issued a voluntary recall of more than 5,000 units of Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack due to the mango variety being potentially tainted with salmonella. The frozen treats also include strawberry- and coconut-flavored ice cream bars.

Consumers who purchased the variety pack with a best-by date of Oct. 11, 2025, should dispose of the entire pack and not consume the product, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned, announcing the recall on March 30. The best-by product date can be found on the bottom of the box, the FDA noted.

The FDA’s announcement reported that the product has been distributed to retail locations in 16 states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The product was also exported to certain locations in Europe.

Salmonella Can Cause Fatal Infections in Some

Salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in vulnerable populations, including children, frail or older people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with it may experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the salmonella that causes typhoid fever can enter a person’s bloodstream and lead to complications, such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and reactive arthritis.

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Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to vegetables, chicken, pork, fruits, nuts, eggs, beef, and sprouts. It typically takes between six hours and six days for a person to come down with the illness, lasting between four and seven days. If you contract salmonella, getting plenty of fluids and rest is important. If you are unable to keep fluids down and become dehydrated or have severe symptoms, contact a health care professional. Typically, antibiotics are only prescribed for patients with a severe case of the illness or for patients likely to develop a severe complication.

While it is difficult to avoid salmonella exposures due to poor manufacturing practices, the federal government’s Food Safety website suggests that people can protect themselves by avoiding high-risk foods, including raw or lightly cooked eggs, undercooked ground beef or poultry, and unpasteurized or raw milk. Additionally, washing your hands after contact with animals, their food or treats, or their living environment is essential.

Final product testing revealed that the mango bars may contain salmonella bacteria, the FDA reported. As a precaution, Tropicale Foods stopped distributing the affected product and is investigating what caused the problem. The FDA noted that preventative actions will be taken to ensure future issues don’t arise.

Consumers with questions can contact the company at 909-563-3090 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST, Monday to Friday.

Previous Salmonella Outbreaks

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that salmonella causes roughly 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually. Food is the most common source of infection.

As of 2024, the only food-related outbreak has been due to charcuterie meats produced by Fratelli Beretta. The recalled product affected 33 states after making 104 people sick and sending 27 to the hospital. The CDC reported that 50 of 68 people reported getting sick after eating a variety of charcuterie meats. While the outbreak investigation into the charcuterie meats, which occurred in early 2024, is over, the recalled products have a six-month shelf life. The best-before date for the Fratelli Beretta charcuterie meats is July 6, 2024.

According to the CDC, cantaloupes, fresh diced onions, ground beef, raw cookie dough, and flour were all recalled in 2023 due to salmonella.