Recalled Blue Bell products
Have you purchased Blue Bell Ice Cream recently? If so, check to make sure it is not part of a recall of the company’s Listeria-contaminated products!
Five people became ill and and three people died after eating Blue Bell brand ice cream between January 2014 and January 2015. The victims were all hospitalized for unrelated reasons at the same hospital in Kansas when they became ill with listeriosis after eating ice cream. The FDA has warned Kansas consumers about the potential for Listeria contamination in Blue Bell Creameries’ products. Blue Bell Ice Cream of California voluntarily removed the following products from the market:
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Listeria is a bacterium that causes life-threatening illness. Healthy consumers generally do not get ill or they experience only mild symptoms. Pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and adults with weakened immune systems are most at risk of severe illness. For those who become ill, 94 percent require hospitalization, 16 percent die, and pregnant women can experience miscarriage, making it one of the most hazardous foodborne illnesses. Symptoms of infection include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea.
If you believe you have been exposed to Listeria and experience any of these symptoms, contact a physician immediately. Symptoms of listeriosis may begin two to four weeks after consumption of Listeria-contaminated foods. Symptoms usually last 5-10 days, but complications are common. A severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions can be symptoms of life-threatening neurological complications that require immediate attention from a physician.
Recalled ice cream should not be eaten. If you have this recalled product in your home, return it to the store for a refund or dispose of it. Remember: when in doubt, throw it out!
If you have questions about a product, you can call 1-888-SAFEFOOD Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, or to consult http://www.fda.gov.
Links to important information about the recall: