Blue Bell Creameries is recalling packages of ice cream containing chocolate chip cookie dough due to the possibility of Listeria contamination.
The ice cream flavors--Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Cookie Two Step--were produced at a plant in Alabama. The ice cream was distributed in 10 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
It is the cookie dough ingredient that is believed to be contaminated. That third party ingredient supplier is Aspen Hills, and they also issued a recall.
No illnesses in relation to this recall have been reported.
In early 2015, Blue Bell issued product recalls after Listeria was found at two of the company’s production plants in Oklahoma and Texas. At least three deaths and multiple illnesses are believed to be linked to last year’s recall. In May 2016, Blue Bell issued yet another product recall due to mispackaging and undeclared allergens.
UPDATE:
Aspen Hills, the company that supplies Blue Bell's cookie dough ingredient, says that their product tested negative for Listeria contamination before it was sent to Blue Bell production plants.
Because the Blue Bell plant in Alabama held onto the cookie dough ingredient for 2 months, that could have been enough time for undetectable levels of Listeria to grow. Further tests are currently underway.
Related articles:
Blue Bell Recalls All Products After Listeria Contamination
FDA Says Blue Bell Listeria Contamination Dates Back to March 2013
FDA Reports Show Blue Bell Food Safety Violations Dating Back 8 Years
First Blue Bell Plant to Resume Production After Massive Recall
Blue Bell Workers Say Production, Money Over Cleanliness at Texas Plant
DOJ Investigating Blue Bell's Listeria Outbreak
Blue Bell Issues Statement on Progress After 2015 Recall
Blue Bell Ice Cream Issues Recall for Mispackaging; Undeclared Allergens
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