FDA INVESTIGATES LISTERIS MONOCYLOGENES IN ICE CREAM FDA INVESTIGATES LISTERIS MONOCYLOGENES IN ICE CREAM
U..S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

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FDA Investigates Listeria monocytogenes in Ice Cream Products from Blue Bell Creameries

Update

March 24, 2015

As part of the investigation of the listeriosis outbreak identified at a Kansas hospital, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), with the assistance of the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), collected environmental samples, which are swabs from surfaces likely to come in contact with food, from the hospital kitchen. They also collected samples of containers of Blue Bell ice cream still on hand at the hospital. Analysis of the environmental samples did not detect the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. However, one sample taken from a Blue Bell 3-ounce single-serving tab lid ice cream cup manufactured in Blue Bell’s Broken Arrow, Okla., plant did show the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. On March 22, 2015, state and federal authorities notified Blue Bell of this finding.

On March 23, 2015, Blue Bell Creameries of Brenham, Texas, recalled three flavors of 3 oz. institutional/food service ice cream cups—chocolate (SKU #453), strawberry (SKU #452) and vanilla (SKU #451) —with tab lids because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. These products were distributed in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming via food service accounts. The company reports that these products are not sold via retail outlets such as convenience stores and supermarkets, and that the recall does not include Blue Bell Ice Cream half gallons, pints, quarts, 3 gallons or other 3 oz. cups. The product was sold to schools, nursing homes, and hospitals.

On this page:

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It? What are the Symptoms of Listeriosis? Who is at Risk? What Products Are Involved? What Do Consumers Need To Do? What Do Institutions and Retailers Need To Do? Who Should be Contacted? Available Product Photos

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local officials are investigating an outbreak of listeriosis potentially linked to certain Blue Bell Creameries single serving ice cream products.Listeriosis is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

According to the CDC and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, five patients who were treated in a single hospital in Kansas were infected with one of four rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Three of these strains, which are highly similar, have also been found in products manufactured at the Blue Bell Creameries production facility in Brenham, Texas. Illness onset dates range from January 2014 to January 2015.

FDA was notified that these three strains and four other rare strains ofListeria monocytogeneswere found in samples of Blue Bell Creameries single serving Chocolate Chip Country Cookie Sandwich and the Great Divide Bar ice cream products collected by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control during routine product sampling at a South Carolina distribution center, on February 12, 2015. These products are manufactured at Blue Bell Creameries’ Brenham facility.

The Texas Department of State Health Services, subsequently, collected product samples from the Blue Bell Creameries Brenham facility. These samples yielded Listeria monocytogenes from the same products tested by South Carolina and a third single-serving ice cream product, Scoops, which is also made on the same production line.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, hospital records available for four patients show that all were served ice cream from Blue Bell Creameries’ prepackaged, single-serving products and milkshakes made from these products. The hospital receives ice cream manufactured by Blue Bell Creameries, although it is not confirmed that the hospital receives ice cream only from the Brenham facility.

All five case patients are adults. Three deaths have been reported.

On March 13, 2015, Blue Bell Creameries reported that it has removed the affected ice cream products from the market by picking it up directly from the retailers and hospital settings it serves. The company has also shut down the production line where the products were made.

As part of the investigation, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) with the assistance of the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), collected environmental samples, which are swabs from surfaces likely to come in contact with food, from the hospital kitchen. They also collected samples of containers of Blue Bell ice cream still on hand at the hospital. Analysis of the environmental samples did not detect the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. However, one sample taken from a Blue Bell 3-ounce single serving ice cream cup manufactured in Blue Bell’s Broken Arrow, Okla., plant did show the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. On March 22, 2015, state and federal authorities notified Blue Bell of this finding.

On March 23, 2015, Blue Bell Creameries issued a second recall, recalling three flavors of 3 oz. institutional/food service ice cream cups—chocolate (SKU #453), strawberry (SKU #452) and vanilla (SKU #451) —with tab lids because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

These products were distributed in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming via food service accounts. The company reports that these products are not sold via retail outlets such as convenience stores and supermarkets, and that the recall does not include Blue Bell Ice Cream half gallons, pints, quarts, 3 gallons or other 3 oz. cups.

The FDA has moved quickly to investigate this issue and learn as much as possible to prevent additional people from becoming ill. We recognize that people will be concerned about these illnesses, and we will continue to provide updates and advice.

What are the Symptoms ofListeriosis?

Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes.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.

Who is at Risk?

Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer). In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborn babies.

What Products Are Involved?

Blue Bell Creameries has reported two recalls in connection with this investigation.

On March 13, 2015, the company reported that they had removed the following products from the market. This action included only the products listed below and does not include Blue Bell cups, pints or half gallons.

The frozen snack items listed below were distributed in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming via select stores and food service accounts.

Product Name Product Code Chocolate Chip Country Cookie UPC 71899-21169 Great Divide Bar UPC 71899-21178 Sour Pop Green Apple Bar UPC 71899-21208 Cotton Candy Bar UPC 71899-21207 Scoops UPC 71899-00701 Vanilla Stick Slices No UPC – SKU #964 Almond Bars UPC 71899-21138 6 pack Cotton Candy Bars UPC 71899-62257 6 pack Sour Pop Green Apple Bars UPC 71899-62258 12 pack No Sugar Added Mooo Bars* UPC 71899-62305


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