More Blues for Blue Bell: Another Listeria Scare Causes Ice Cream Recall
Just seventeen months after Blue Bell Creameries was forced to recall all of its ice cream products due to listeria contamination concerns, there's more trouble brewing for one of the nation's best selling ice cream brands. Blue Bell is recalling products from its Alabama factory containing chocolate chip cookie dough after learning they potentially contain listeria monocytogenes.
It's the latest blow to a company that was already reeling from recalls and a deadly listeria outbreak last year. So what does the latest recall entail, and mean?
Cautionary Call
The recall involves 1,900 cases of ice cream shipped to Blue Bell's Brenham, Texas and Sylacaugua, Alabama plants, which were then distributed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The company said the recall was due to possible health risks linked to the chocolate chip cookie dough pieces supplied by a third party, Aspen Hills, Inc.
Thus far, Blue Bell says that there have been no reports of illnesses, and the recall was instituted out of an "abundance of caution." Although Blue Bell said its products in the marketplace have passed its test and hold program, the recall was instituted after potential problems were identified via intensified internal testing.
For Whom the Blue Bell Tolls
Bloomberg reported that Blue Bell was forced to fire or furloughed most of its employees after last year's listeria recall. That outbreak was linked to three deaths and put the future of the business in jeopardy. Billionaire investor and philanthropist Sid Bass helped rescue the company, which resumed operations in July of last year.
Whether Blue Bell can survive another listeria scare remains to be seen. If you're worried about your ice cream, you can see which ice cream containers were affected on the company's website. And if you think you've been sickened by Blue Bell's or any other company's product, you can contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area today.
Related Resources:
- Hurt by a product or accident? Get your claim reviewed for free. (Consumer Injury)
- Blue Bell Creamery and Sabra Hummus Recall: Listeria Contamination (FindLaw's Common Law)
- I Got Listeria. How and Who Do I Sue? (FindLaw's Common Law)
- Top 10 Food Recalls of 2015 (FindLaw's Common Law)