An Owings Mills ice cream manufacturer, Totally Cool Corporation, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and laid off nearly all of its employees following a significant product recall due to potential listeria contamination. The filing, made on Friday, marks a dramatic turn of events for the company, which has been a fixture in Maryland since the early 1990s.
The troubles for Totally Cool began with an unannounced inspection by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 20. Inspectors discovered listeria contamination around one of the company’s production lines. This led to a recall of over 60 products, including two flavors from Baltimore’s Taharka Brothers pints, according to documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.
The contamination led to the cessation of all production at the plant. The FDA’s directive to halt production resulted in a total loss of revenue for Totally Cool, forcing the company to shut down its operations. As a consequence, all but three of the company’s 71 employees were laid off.
The bankruptcy filing will allow Totally Cool to restructure its finances and work towards repaying its creditors. The company’s liabilities are estimated between $1 million and $10 million, while its assets are valued between $500,000 and $1 million. CEO Michael Uhlfelder has been authorized to sell some or all of the company’s assets to address its financial obligations.
Among the largest unsecured creditors are United Dairy in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus, Ohio. Other notable creditors include Hershey’s Ice Cream in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Dolcezza Gelato in Washington, D.C.; Friendly’s Manufacturing in Fort Worth, Texas; and Taharka Brothers in Baltimore.
The recall affected Taharka Brothers’ Honey Graham and Key Lime Pie flavors, purchased in 16-ounce containers with a best-by date of October 1, 2025, if purchased after April 4. Despite the recall, no illnesses have been reported related to the listeria outbreak, according to the FDA.
