Listeria is a "serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes," according to the CDC. It can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, life-threatening infections in newborns, septicemia (sepsis) and meningitis. An outbreak of listeria linked to Blue Bell ice cream products prompted a recall of Blue Bell products on Monday, but genetic tests link Listeria from two separate Blue Bell factories to at least six cases of listeriosis dating back to 2010.
The outbreak has killed three people in Kansas and caused the hospitalization of seven others from Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma, according to the CDC. Another patient is currently being tested.
Blue Bell is voluntarily recalling all of its products currently on the market made at all of its facilities including ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria. "Today's decision was the result of findings from an enhanced sampling program initiated by Blue Bell which revealed that Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream half gallons produced on March 17, 2015, and March 27, 2015, contained the bacteria," the company wrote in its statement released on Monday. "This means Blue Bell has now had several positive tests for Listeria in different places and plants and as previously reported five patients were treated in Kansas and three in Texas after testing positive for Listeria monocytogenes."
"We're committed to doing the 100 percent right thing, and the best way to do that is to take all of our products off the market until we can be confident that they are all safe," said Blue Bell CEO and President Paul Kruse, according to the statement.
The CDC's initial report states that four of the patients in March were given contaminated Blue Bell Scoops while at the hospital being treated for other ailments. The Blue Bell products have a shelf life of two years. The CDC recommends wrapping the product in a plastic bag before discarding to discourage other people or animals from eating the product from the trash.
According to Blue Bell's statement, if you have purchased a recalled Blue Bell item, you may return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
