Listeria Recall: Blue Bell Ice Cream Recalling 3 Cookie Dough Products

BRENHAM, TX -- Blue Bell Creameries on Wednesday issued a recall on several of its products out of concern the chocolate chip cookie dough used in the manufacture could contain listeria.

"The voluntary recall has been initiated due to concerns of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination," officials said in a prepared statement. "Consumption of this product may cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children and those with weakened immune systems.

To date, no illnesses have been reported as a result of the possibly contaminated product. Still, company officials are issuing the recall in an abundance of caution, they said.

Symptoms of infection include fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, company officials said. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and still births among pregnant women, officials added.

Blue Bell officials said the affected items were produced in the company's Sylacauga, Ala. plant, and made by a third-party supplier named Aspen Hills, Inc.

The products produced with the chocolate chip cookie dough pieces were distributed in ten states: Alabama; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; North Carolina; South Carolina; Tennessee; and Virginia.

"Although our products in the marketplace have passed our test and hold program, which requires that finished product samples test negative for Listeria monocytogenes, Blue Bell is initiating this recall out of an abundance of caution," officials said "This recall is being conducted in cooperation with the FDA."

The affected products with their code dates include the following in half-gallon containers:

• Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, 082618226
• Blue Bell Cookie Two Step, 080418222 and 081818224

In pints:

• Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, with code dates 081518242 and 082418242

Consumers are highly urged not to consume the recalled products, and instead return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those needing further information can call 979-836-7977, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

This is just the latest recall for Blue Bell following a previously massive, multi-state recall that prompted the company to temporarily halt production for a thorough cleaning of its plants. The 2015 recall involved all Blue Bell ice cream products after two samplings of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream tested positive for listeriosis, which is a food-borne illness.

Something of an iconic brand in Texas, Blue Bell has long made its ice cream in Brenham, Texas, a town located 90 miles east of the capital city of Austin.

Written by Tony Cantu. Photo by Blue Bell Ice Cream