Blue Bell ice cream products linked to three listeria deaths; recall announced

DALLAS -- State and federal agencies are investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections (listeriosis) linked to certain Blue Bell brand ice cream products, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

According to the CDC, of the four ill people for whom information is available on the foods eaten in the month before Listeria infection, all four consumed milkshakes made with a single-serving Blue Bell brand ice cream product called “Scoops” while they were in the hospital.

Three of the people infected have died.

Isolated testing of Blue Bell products in South Carolina and Texas yielded more evidence of listeriosis. The Blue Bell brand ice cream products with tests showing Listeria monocytogenes were ice cream Scoops, Chocolate Chip Country Cookie Sandwiches, and Great Divide Bars.

Blue Bell Creameries reported that these products were removed from the market in March 2015. However, the contaminated ice cream products may still be in the freezers of consumers, institutions, and retailers, the CDC said.

Consumers should check their freezers for any of these products and throw them away, even if some of the product has been eaten and no one has become ill. These products can have a shelf-life of up to 2 years.

Here's the full statement from Blue Bell:

"For the first time in 108 years, Blue Bell announces a product recall. One of our machines produced a limited amount of frozen snacks with a potential listeria problem. When this was detected all products produced by this machine were withdrawn.  Our Blue Bell team members recovered all involved products in stores and storage. This withdrawal in no way includes our half gallons, quarts, pints, cups, three gallon ice cream or the majority of take-home frozen snack novelties.For more information call 979-836-7977, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST."