Update: Yesterday, Blue Bell tweeted that its "trucks are back on the road" four months after it recalled all of its products due to continuing risk of listeriosis contamination. "We’ll let you know soon when and where you can find our products in stores," the beleaguered company added in a follow-up tweet. Not all of its plants are back in action, but Blue Bell resumed production at its Sylacauga, AL plant last Wednesday (just homemade vanilla and Dutch chocolate, for now).
Our trucks are on the road again… And yes, they are filled with Blue Bell Ice Cream! https://t.co/0rtUMeQnCO
— Blue Bell Ice Cream (@ILoveBlueBell) August 11, 2015Update: Blue Bell has now expanded its recall to include all Blue Bell products due to continuing issues with listeria.
Update: Blue Bell has temporarily closed its Broken Arrow, OK plant after finding listeria contamination was detected in ice cream products manufactured there. These products were contaminated with a different strain of listeria than the one that infected five Kansan hospital patients and killed three of them after they consumed Blue Bell products manufactured in Texas.
Update: Yesterday, Blue Bell expanded its recall to include chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla three-ounce food-service ice cream cups.
Originally published March 14, 2015.
For the first time ever, Texas-based company Blue Bell is issuing a recall on some of its ice cream products after being linked to three food-illness-related deaths. According to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported by the NY Daily News, products from the creamery's Brenham, Texas, factory gave five people in Kansas listeriosis, a life-threatening bacterial infection. Although all five were originally admitted to the hospital for other reasons, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered that four of the individuals consumed milkshakes made with the beloved ice cream while in the hospital. And, the listeria strain found in the individuals matched one that was obtained from Blue Bell products in South Carolina and Texas. The bacteria was found in samples of Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Country Cookies, Great Divide Bars, Sour Pop Green Apple Bars, Cotton Candy Bars, Scoops, Vanilla Stick Slices, Almond Bars and No Sugar Added Moo Bars, says the FDA. Not to worry, though, "This withdrawal in no way includes our half gallons, quarts, pints, cups, three gallon ice cream or the majority of take-home frozen snack novelties," says Blue Bell. Right, like we're ever going to be able to look at — let alone eat — a pint of ice cream any time soon.. Thankfully, Blue Bell is taking the recall very seriously. As per the company's website, for more information call 979-836-7977, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.
For the first time ever, Texas-based company Blue Bell is issuing a recall on some of its ice cream products after being linked to three food-illness-related deaths. According to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported by the NY Daily News, products from the creamery's Brenham, Texas, factory gave five people in Kansas listeriosis, a life-threatening bacterial infection. Although all five were originally admitted to the hospital for other reasons, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered that four of the individuals consumed milkshakes made with the beloved ice cream while in the hospital. And, the listeria strain found in the individuals matched one that was obtained from Blue Bell products in South Carolina and Texas. The bacteria was found in samples of Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Country Cookies, Great Divide Bars, Sour Pop Green Apple Bars, Cotton Candy Bars, Scoops, Vanilla Stick Slices, Almond Bars and No Sugar Added Moo Bars, says the FDA. Not to worry, though, "This withdrawal in no way includes our half gallons, quarts, pints, cups, three gallon ice cream or the majority of take-home frozen snack novelties," says Blue Bell. Right, like we're ever going to be able to look at — let alone eat — a pint of ice cream any time soon.. Thankfully, Blue Bell is taking the recall very seriously. As per the company's website, for more information call 979-836-7977, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.