Three deaths have been reported of people infected with strains of Listeria Monocytogenes after having eaten ice cream produced by Blue Bell Creameries manufactured in Brenham, Texas. The contaminated flavors reported by the South Carolina Department of Health and the Kansas Department of Health include the Chocolate Chip Country Cookie Sandwich, the Great Divide Bar ice cream product and Scoops, a single serving ice cream product. Five patients, all adults, were sickened while consuming the product in a single hospital in Kansas.

What are the symptoms of Listeriosis

Anyone who experiences fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, or develops fever and chills after eating the ice cream should seek medical care and tell their health care provider about any history of eating the ice cream. Symptoms can appear from a few days up to a few weeks after consumption of the contaminated food.

Listeriosis can be fatal in certain high-risk groups. They include the elderly, people with weakened immune sysems and certain chronic medical conditions like cancer. Pregnant women also are at risk after exposure and may either lose the pregnancy or cause serious illness or death to the newborn babies.

What products have been removed from the market?

The products involved include Chocolate Chip Country Cookie (SKU # 196), Great Divide Bar (SKU # 108), Sour Pop Green Apple Bar (SKU # 221), Cotton Candy Bar (SKU # 216), Scoops (SKU# 117), Vanilla Stick Slices (SK # 964), Almond Bars (SKU # 156), 6-pack Cotton Candy Bars (SKU # 245), 6-pack Sour Pop Apple Bars (SKU# 249) and 12-pack No Sugar Added Mooo Bars (SKU # 343). The regular Mooo Bars and Bell Bell cups, pints and half gallons are not subject to recall.

If by chance any of these products was purchased and is being refrigerated, the advice of the CDC is to thoroughly wash the areas in contact, including any utensils or countertops used, then follow up with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water and dry with a paper towel that has not been previously used. Prevention measures may be found here.

Blue Bell Creameries, founded in 1907, is the manufacturer of Blue Bell brand ice cream. Blue Bell sells its ice cream directly in only 23 states, mostly in the Southern United States.

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