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 The move is the most recent in a string of recall announcements by
the 108-year-old company, based in Brenham, after health officials
said last month three people made ill by Listeria between January
2014 and January 2015 had died in a Kansas hospital where Blue Bell
frozen treats were served.
Monday's decision came after the bacteria was detected in Chocolate
Chip Cookie Dough ice cream samples that were tested last month.
The products being recalled are distributed in grocery and
conveniences stores and other retail outlets in 23 states and some
international locations.
"We are heartbroken about this situation and apologize to all of our
loyal Blue Bell fans and customers," Blue Bell CEO Paul Kruse said.
"We're committed to doing the 100 percent right thing, and the best
way to do that is to take all of our products off the market until
we can be confident that they are all safe," he said in a statement.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Listeria
monocytogenes are organisms that can cause serious infection and can
be deadly for newborns, elderly people and those with weak immune
systems.
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Healthy people may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever,
nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Five people in Kansas and three in Texas have been treated after
testing positive for the bacteria and were linked to Blue Bell
products, according to the CDC.
Blue Bell also said it would introduce additional safety and testing
procedures.
(Editing by Curtis Skinner and Paul Tait)
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