The Gifford’s Dairy ice cream recall has drawn national attention after the Maine-based company pulled thousands of containers of a fan-favorite flavor from store shelves. The recall centers on possible rubber contamination and affects shoppers across Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
Gifford’s Dairy, based in Skowhegan, Maine, initiated the recall on August 14. The action targets the HomeMaine ice cream brand’s Power Play Fudge flavor, a golden vanilla ice cream loaded with crushed chocolate cookies, fudge-filled chocolate “pucks,” and ribbons of fudge.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published its notice on August 20. Federal officials classified the recall as Class II on August 19, five days after the company first pulled the product.
Why Gifford’s Recalled Power Play Fudge
The recall stems from a report of “potential foreign object contamination: rubber pieces” inside the ice cream. Gifford’s Dairy marketing manager Samantha Plourd told reporters that the company’s investigation points to a food-grade gasket tied to an ingredient used during production.
Plourd said the issue appears limited to a portion of the overall production run. Gifford’s still chose to recall the entire lot as a precaution while the investigation continues alongside the FDA.
A small number of consumer complaints about foreign material in the ice cream prompted the company’s review. Those complaints led directly to the voluntary recall decision on August 14.
How Many Containers Are Affected
The Gifford’s Dairy ice cream recall covers 3,585 one-quart containers of Power Play Fudge. That number represents a small slice of the company’s total output, since Gifford’s distributes more than two million gallons of ice cream every year.
Consumers can identify recalled containers using these details:
- Lot code: 26184
- Best-by date: 08/27/27
- UPC: 8 60864 00030 7
- Package size: One-quart containers
Shoppers should check any Power Play Fudge container currently sitting in their freezer against this lot code and date before serving it to family or guests.
Which States and Stores Sold the Recalled Ice Cream
Gifford’s distributed the affected containers through grocery stores in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Retailers carrying the flavor included Hannaford, Shaws, and other regional grocery chains across the three states.
Gifford’s ice cream also reaches independent shops, colleges, universities, and restaurants throughout New England, though the recall notice specifically names grocery store distribution as the affected channel. Anyone who bought a quart of Power Play Fudge from those stores in recent weeks should check their freezer immediately.
What the Class II Recall Classification Means
The FDA classified this event as a Class II recall on August 19. This classification applies to situations where use of or exposure to a product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, or where the probability of serious harm remains remote.
Class II recalls sit below Class I recalls, which the FDA reserves for products carrying a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death. The Gifford’s recall does not fall into that higher-risk category.
Still, rubber fragments in food pose a real choking and injury hazard. Anyone who purchased the affected lot should avoid eating it and should not serve it to children.
Timeline of the Gifford’s Dairy Ice Cream Recall
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 14, 2026 | Gifford’s Dairy voluntarily initiates the recall |
| August 19, 2026 | FDA classifies the action as a Class II recall |
| August 20, 2026 | FDA publishes the official recall notice |
About Gifford’s Dairy
Gifford’s Dairy describes itself as a fifth-generation, family-owned ice cream producer that sources its milk and fruit locally. The company has served New England for generations and built a loyal regional following.
Power Play Fudge carries extra name recognition because it became the official ice cream flavor of the Boston Bruins in 2016. The partnership paired a beloved local hockey franchise with a beloved local dairy brand, and the flavor’s hockey-puck-shaped fudge pieces reflect that tie-in.
Gifford’s has not publicly confirmed the exact source of the rubber contamination. The company says its investigation continues in cooperation with the FDA, and further updates may follow as that review progresses.
What Affected Customers Should Do
Anyone holding a container matching the recalled lot code should not consume the product. Consumers can return the ice cream to the store where they bought it or discard it entirely.
Customers with questions about the recall may reach out to Gifford’s Dairy directly for guidance. Checking the lot code and best-by date remains the fastest way to confirm whether a specific container falls under the recall.
The recall has not been linked to any confirmed injuries at this stage. Gifford’s voluntary action reflects a precautionary approach rather than a response to widespread harm.
Have you checked your freezer for the recalled Power Play Fudge lot? Share your experience and stay alert for further updates on this recall.