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Blue Bell Creamery and Sabra Hummus Recall: Listeria Contamination

By Admin on April 09, 2015 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Beware! Blue Bell Creamery and Sabra are recalling their ice cream and hummus products due to a listeria outbreak. Eight people have been hospitalized, and three people have died from listeria infection due to infected Blue Bell Creamery products.

Here is what you need to know:

Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that lives in the digestive tracts of animals. The bacteria are then ingested by humans when fruit and vegetable crops are contaminated by animal waste. Listeria can survive on food even after it has been washed, cooked, or frozen.

According to the CDC, listeria infects nearly 1,600 people and kill over 200 people each year. Listeria can cause fever, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and painful stomach aches. Young children and elderly adults are usually more susceptible to listeria. Pregnant women can even suffer miscarriages. However, most healthy adults can consume the bacteria without getting any symptoms.

Once diagnosed, a listeria infection can be treated with fluids and antibiotics.

Blue Bell Recall

To date, Blue Bell has already issue three voluntary recalls of its ice cream products in the last few months due to listeria contamination.

The listeria contamination was found after routine sampling of Blue Bell's products. The FDA and CDC began investigating further when a cluster of five patients in one Kansas hospital were infected with a rare strain of listeria also found in Blue Bell's products.

In its first recall on March 13, 2015, Blue Bell removed ice cream products that it had delivered to hospitals and retailers. The company also shut down the production line where the affected products were made.

On March 23, 2015, Blue Bell issued a second recall for three ounce ice cream cups including:

  • Chocolate (SKU #453)
  • Strawberry (SKU #452)
  • Vanilla (SKU #451)

On April 7, 2015, Blue Bell expanded the recall to include any ice cream products manufactured at its plant in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Blue Bell has already shut down its Broken Arrow plant.

You can find a complete list of all recalled products on the FDA's website.

Sabra Recall

Sabra Hummus is voluntarily recalling 30,000 cases of its Classic Hummus also due to possible listeria contamination.

This recall is limited to Sabra's:

  • Classic Hummus 10 oz (SKU # 300067)
  • Classic Hummus 30 oz (SKU #300074)/li>
  • Classic Hummus Without Garnish 32 oz. (SKU #301216)
  • Classic Hummus 17 oz Six Pack (SKU #301290)
  • Classic Hummus Dual pack Garlic 23.5 oz (SKU # 301283)

There have been no reported illnesses linked with Sabra products.

If you have any recalled Blue Bell Creamery or Sabra Hummus products, do not eat them. Throw the products away, or return them to the store for a full refund. If you have any recalled products, the FDA recommends thoroughly washing your refrigerator, cutting boards, utensils, and countertops with a solution of bleach and hot water.

If you believe you may have been sickened by a listeria contaminated product, an experienced consumer protection attorney may be able to help.

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