Do you have a Blue Bell ice cream in your fridge? Then you've been warned. Strains of Listeria have been found in some of their products, forcing the Blue Bell Creameries to issue a recall, the first in over a hundred years.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently carrying an investigation after 5 people had been reported to be infected by 7 strains of Listeria monocytogenes, 4 of which are considered rare. These patients had been admitted from January 2014 to January 15.
Based on the collected samples obtained by South Carolina's health department, these strains were found in products such as Great Divide Bar and Chocolate Chip Country Cookie Sandwich.
The company then immediately issued a product recall for the abovementioned products as well as Sour Pop Green Apple Bar (including 6 pack), Scoops, Almond Bars, Cotton Candy Bar (including 6 pack), Vanilla Stick Slices, and 2 pack Moo Bars (no sugar added). The regular Moo bars are not included in the recall as well as those ice creams with half-gallon, pint, and cup sizes.
It is believed that these products have been contaminated while they were processed and packed in the company's facility in Brenham, Texas. All of the patients who had been brought to the hospital had been served with these ice creams or milkshakes that contained a Blue Bell ice cream product. Of the five patients, three had already died.
According to Blue Bell Creameries, they have already pulled out their products from various stores and health care facilities where they were being sold. They had also shut down their production line in Brenham.
A person who's infected with the bacteria is diagnosed with literiosis. It takes about a few days to weeks before the signs and symptoms appear. The patient who has eaten contaminated food will experience fever, chills, muscle pains, and gastrointestinal problems including diarrhea that may lead to dehydration.
