Blue Bell Creameries Issues Massive Ice Cream Recall

Two weeks after shutting down one of its manufacturing plants because of the discovery of listeria contamination in certain products, Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries is recalling all of its ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and other frozen treats because they could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Customers in the 23 states that carry Blue Bell products are advised to return the products to their place of purchase for a full refund.

So far, five adults in Kansas who consumed the ice cream have been infected with listeria, three of whom died. Three adults in Texas have also been sickened over the last four years.

Blue Bell decided to issue the voluntary recall after tests of two half-gallon containers of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, produced on March 17 and 27, tested positive for listeria.

According to the company, "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."

On April 6, the company shut down its Oklahoma manufacturing plant because of the discovery of listeria contamination in certain products that originated at the plant. The original recall came after a listeria outbreak at a Kansas hospital where the ice cream was served. Initially, Kansas reported five people infected with a certain strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The five were hospitalized at the same hospital for unrelated problems before developing listeriosis.

According to the United States Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, listeriosis is a life-threatening infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. People at high risk for listeriosis include pregnant women, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems.

Customers with questions are asked to call 1-866-608-3940 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. or Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CDT or go to bluebell.com.