January 8, 2016 — Listeria has been detected in a Blue Bell ice cream facility, but so far the disease-causing bacteria has not been found in any ice cream.
Blue Bell issued a statement yesterday to report the positive test, but said enhanced surveillance procedures are working and the company expects to occasionally find Listeria:
“Because Listeria is commonly found in the natural environment, no manufacturer can ever assume it can be entirely eradicated. … We have identified locations where suspected Listeria species may be present in our facility, and we continue to extensively clean and sanitize those areas.”
Blue Bell emphasized that it still tests every single batch of ice cream for Listeria and also performs extensive testing inside the facility.
Blue Bell ice cream is now available in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, according to a map of the five-stage territory expansion. In January, Blue Bell ice cream will continue its return to store shelves in other southern states.
In April 2015, Blue Bell recalled all of their ice cream after at least 10 people were infected with Listeria in Arizona (1), Kansas (5), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (3). All of the victims were hospitalized and three people in Kansas died. Because the outbreak has been ongoing since 2010, it is possible that some cases were never reported.
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The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Blue Bell induced food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Listeria, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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