Ice cream Tied to Kansas Listeria Outbreak, 3 Dead, Two Hospitalized

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an advisory after five cases of listeriosis were linked to Blue Bell ice cream from the production facility in Texas. Three patients at a Kansas hospital have died and two others were made ill.

The tainted products were linked to the Blue Bell creamery in Brenham, Texas.  The deaths led to the first product recall in the Texas creamery's 108-year history.

The five adults became ill from January 2014 to January of this year with one of four rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria while hospitalized with unrelated illnesses, Kansas health officials said in a news release.

Isolated testing of Blue Bell products in South Carolina and Texas yielded more evidence of listeriosis. The Blue Bell brand ice cream products with tests showing Listeria monocytogenes were ice cream Scoops, Chocolate Chip Country Cookie Sandwiches, and Great Divide Bars.

In a statement on its website, Blue Bell said this was the first time in 108 years that it has announced a product recall: "One of our machines produced a limited amount of frozen snacks with a potential listeria problem. When this was detected, all products produced by this machine were withdrawn."

The Texas Department of State Health Services said Friday the Blue Bell plant was operating in compliance with food safety laws and no enforcement actions had been taken.

Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness caused by eating contaminated food. Its symptoms include fever, aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Listeriosis can be fatal, particularly in high-risk groups, including the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions.

Recent listeria outbreaks include commercially produced caramel apples made with apples from a California farm last year. A total of 35 people from 12 states were infected, and listeriosis contributed to at least three deaths.

For more information call 979-836-7977, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CST or click here.