In a voluntary announcement on Monday Texas based Blue Bell Creameries issued a recall for all its product, after two of their ‘Choc and Chip’ samples tested positive of deadly Listeria bacteria.
The company said, they are recalling all of their ice creams and frozen treat products from store shelves due to Listeria contaminations. In recent times the 180–years old company made several recalls after the health officials announced that, three people were exposed to Listeria between 2014 and 2015 and died after having Blue Bell products in a hospital in Kansas.
In recent months Blue Bell decided to recall certain products due to Listeria contamination. But the news of recalling all of its ice cream and frozen products was due to a Listeria contamination discovered in the Chocolate Chip Cookies Dough ice cream samples last month. According to the company officials the products which have been recalled, were distributed in convenience stores and other retail outlet in 23 states. The company also confirmed that, some of these products are also distributed internationally.
In a statement Blue Bell CEO Paul Kruse said, “We are heartbroken about this situation and apologize to all of our loyal Blue Bell fans and customers.” The statement also stated that, “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.”
In a separate statement U.S.A. Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) said, infected with Listeria Monocytogenes can cause serious infections. The agency also confirmed that it may prove deadly for the newborn, elderly people and people with weak immune system. According to health officials, people with stronger immune system may face short-term symptoms, such as high fever, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. CDC also confirmed that till now 5 people in Kansas and 3 people in Texas were tested positive of Listeria bacteria after consuming Blue Bell products.
Blue Bell said, they are going to introduce much tougher and additional safety measures in the near future.
