SAFEWAY RECALLS TRUFFLE ICE CREAM

BARBARA MURRAY

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway here is voluntarily recalling half gallons of Safeway SELECT Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream because it may contain almonds which are not listed on the ingredient label.

Almonds may cause a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction in some people. No illnesses have been reported, said the company in an April 13 press release.

The product, sold in round containers, may have been distributed in northern California, western Nevada, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, Montana and to 12 Pak'n'Save stores in northern California, and it might have been exported to the Middle East, Safeway said in its statement.

The private label product was made in Safeway's Bellevue, Wash., plant, according to spokeswoman Debra Lambert. The day after the recall was announced, the company was looking into how many containers were sold.

Customers were told to look for information on the side band of the lid that says: "Best Before OCT 04 99" followed by a series of numbers and, lastly, the code No. 53-83. Customers who have the matching code may return a clean, empty carton to their local store for a refund. Safeway's consumer number, 925-944-4056, was given out for consumers to call if they had questions.