BRENHAM, Texas -After pints of banana pudding ice cream which is made by Blue Bell Creameries tested positive for listeriosis, The Texas-based dairy company has expanded its recall of the products. The recall included many other products from the same Company and which had been produced from its Broken Arrow, Okla. Plant.
By the time of the recall, reports indicate that the products were already selling having been distributed to retail outlets across the nation. This is the first time Blue bell is doing a recall in its 108 years of operations after three deaths at a Kansas hospital were linked to ice cream which was said to have been contaminated with listeriosis.
Major retailers of the products the likes of Tom Thumb, Albertsons and Kroger were reported to have pulled from their shelves majority of these products according to spokesman for Blue Bell, Gene Grabowski.
This came with a further warning from The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that no one should consume any Blue Bell products and particularly from the Broken Arrow facility. Grabowski has already apologized for the occurrence and has indicated that the Company is assisting in recalling of the products.
Wal-Mart Stores, HEB and Central market have also emptied their shelves though they have not given a timeline as to when they are likely to restock Blue Bell Products.
And what is Listeriosis? This is a food borne disease that affects people with weak immune systems. You will find it both young children as well as older people and could be worse on those that are frail.
The healthier people will suffer short term symptoms the likes of headache, high fever and nausea. You could also experience abdominal pain and infection in pregnant women would lead to a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Blue Bell Company has said that you can either throw away the products or better still return to the shop you bought them from and claim for a refund.