Ice Cream Maker Expands Listeria-Related Recall

 Posted on April 21, 2015 in Food Poisoning

The maker of a popular brand of ice cream announced yesterday that it is conducting a voluntary recall of all its products due to concerns of listeria contamination. Blue Bell Ice Cream, a Texas based manufacturer of frozen dessert products, issued the recall for products made at all of its facilities as the company works to find the source of contamination and implements new product testing protocols. Ice cream produced by Blue Bell was also recalled on a much more limited scale in March as it was linked to fatal cases of listeriosis at a Kansas hospital.

The March recall was the first time Blue Bell products had been recalled in the company's history, and testing procedures developed as a result of that recall led to the discovery of contaminated products, prompting the manufacturer to take action. Paul Kruse, Blue Bell CEO and president said in a statement, “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.” He also issued an apology to the brand's loyal consumers and restated the company's dedication to producing high quality ice cream.

This week's recall was initiated when newly implemented testing procedures found listeria monocytogenes contamination in two separate batches of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor ice cream. The tests indicate that to date, Blue Bell has found contamination in different places and in products manufactured in different plants. As such, the only safe solution was to recall all products until consumer safety can be guaranteed. Retailers in 23 states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, and internationally have been instructed to stop selling Blue Bell products and remove them from their shelves.

While healthy people may be negatively affected to some degree, listeria-related illness can be extremely dangerous for those with a compromised immune system. Pregnant women, young children, elderly patients, and others in frail health are particularly at risk of infection, which can lead to serious gastrointestinal issues, pregnancy complications, and may be even fatal in some cases.

If you have become ill after consuming a product possibly contaminated with listeria, or any other foodborne pathogen, you may be entitled to pursue financial compensation. Contact an experienced Arlington Heights personal injury attorney today. We will review your case and help you understand your options.