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New Blue Bell Recall Due To Potential Listeria Exposure

By Becky Barton
Published on: 10:27 PST, Sep 23, 2016

Blue Bell issued a new recall due to a potential listeria contamination in certain flavors of the company’s ice cream discovered earlier this week. According to the New York Times, Blue Bell announced this voluntary recall on Wednesday. The contamination came from chocolate chip cookie dough produced by a third-party company.

The specific flavors recalled came from the company’s plant in Alabama, their Texas headquarters said. The third-party company that supplied the potentially contaminated dough was Aspen Hills, Inc.

Blue Bell posted a public statement about the recall on their Facebook page.

“No illnesses have been reported to date, but Blue Bell is taking this step because we remain committed to producing a safe, high-quality, great-tasting ice cream for you and your family to enjoy.”

There were 10 states total affected by the recall, including Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, North and South Carolina, and Florida.

When contacted for comments regarding the Blue Bell recall, Aspen Hills did not respond right away.

Skylar Thompson, president of Market Basket, said that the products are currently safe, especially in certain regions. However, the company wishes to be cautious and thorough.

“We’re told there shouldn’t be any in the Lake Charles area that have those code dates, but just to be sure we’re going to remove it from the shelves to double check.”

According to NBC Chicago, the listeria recall affects both Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Cookie Two Step products. They are listed as follows:

Blue Bell Ice Cream Half Gallons:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – Code Dates: 082618226
Cookie Two Step – Code Dates: 080418222, 081818224

Pints:

Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – Code Dates: 081518242, 082418242

Blue Bell says that any customers who received any of the recalled products may return them for a full refund.

Listeria is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, fever, headaches, and nausea. The infection is dangerous and potentially fatal. Women who are pregnant and people with weak immune systems, such as children and the elderly, are at an increased risk for complications from a listeria infection.

However, the recall is not stopping devoted Blue Bell customers. Candace Johnson says her parents still love the ice cream.

“My folks love it. It’s my mom’s birthday, and this is her favorite, so I’m not going to deny her even though there’s a recall.”

Johnson says that, although she is not a Blue Bell fan, she doesn’t expect the recall to faze her mom and dad.

“They’re going to eat Blue Bell for the rest of their lives; they just love it.”

Some customers are a bit more wary. Katelyn Vincent wonders why Blue Bell keeps having these recalls.

“I’m kind of questioning Blue Bell. I love Blue Bell; I love eating it, but at the same time, I’m like ‘OK. why does this keep happening?'”

However, Keri Airhart says that, for now, she will wait to purchase any Blue Bell products.

“I think it’s a little crazy that it happened again, and I’m probably not going to get it until we get the all-clear.”

Thompson says that the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and the Cookie Two Step products will once again hit shelves once Blue Bell deems the threat of listeria cleared.

“In this particular case. it’ll probably come back to the shelf pretty quick.”

Thompson seemed confident that this recall would not hurt stores as much as the major one did, when Blue Bell removed all of their products.

[Featured Image by Jamie Squire/Getty Images]

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