Blue Bell Voluntarily Recalls All Of Its Products Due To Possible Health Risk
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BRENHAM (CBSDFW.COM) - After concerns about Listeria contamination, Blue Bell Creameries has voluntarily recalled ALL of its products currently on the market.
The recall includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks made at all of its facilities.
A press release from the Brenham-based company said that the products "have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems."
In the statement, Blue Bell CEO and president Paul Kruse said, "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."
The products being recalled are distributed to retail outlets, including food service accounts, convenience stores and supermarkets here in Texas and in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wyoming and international locations.
Stores on Tuesday morning began putting up signs informing customers about the situation, and calling to have all of their remaining Blue Bell stock removed.
"We are heartbroken about this situation and apologize to all of our loyal Blue Bell fans and customers," Kruse said in his statement. "We want enjoying our ice cream to be a source of joy and pleasure, never a cause for concern, so we are committed to getting this right."
The action was taken after new testing revealed that Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream half-gallons produced on March 17, 2015 and March 27, 2015 contained Listeria. The results meant Blue Bell now had "several positive tests for Listeria in different places and plants."
"Being that I'm pregnant, it wouldn't be good for me," said customer Courtney McNill. "It's kind of sad, in a way, that I can't eat nothing like that."
Blue Bell officials said that they do not know for certain how Listeria was introduced at their facilities. In the meantime, the company is expanding cleaning and sanitizing at each facility. Everything will be tested before new product begins to roll out again.
It could be two to four weeks before Blue Bell products are back on store shelves.
Anyone who has purchased any type of Blue Bell product is urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
For more information, consumers with questions may call 1-866-608-3940 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or click here for more information.
