Tuesday, April 21, 2015
HOUSTON (AP) — Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries has recalled all of its products after two samples of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream tested positive for listeria, a potentially deadly bacteria.
Federal health officials say they're now aware of 10 listeria illnesses linked to ice cream and other products made by the company over the last five years, including three deaths.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had previously reported eight illnesses from Kansas and Texas, including the three deaths in Kansas. The agency said Tuesday that two more illnesses have been confirmed in Oklahoma and Arizona.
Those sickened fell ill between January 2010 and January 2015.
The recall includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks distributed in 23 states and abroad because the products "have the potential to be contaminated," according to the statement.
The company "cannot say with certainty" how the bacteria was introduced to its facilities, Blue Bell's chief executive Paul Kruse 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," Kruse said.
The first recall in the family owned creamery's 108-year history was issued last month after the CDC and state health officials linked ice cream contaminated with listeria to the three deaths at a Kansas hospital.