Blue Bell Creameries Expands Recall to All of its Products

kanecountyconnects / April 22, 2015 / Comments Off / Health, Kane County Health Department, Public Safety

The Kane County Health Department is advising that Blue Bell Ice Cream of Brenham, Texas, 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 monocytogenes. This is an expansion of a previously announced recall.

The products were distributed nationally and while there have been eight reports of illnesses related to this product, none of the illnesses were reported in Illinois.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The decision to expand the recall 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. 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.

Blue Bell has implemented a variety of procedures aimed at ensuring its products are safe. Some of its facilities will remain closed as Blue Bell continues to investigate. Blue Bell expects to resume distribution soon on a limited basis once it is confident in the safety of its product.

Consumers may contact 866-608-3940, while media contacts are referred to Joe Robertson at 979-830-9830, [email protected].