Blue Bell Ice Cream recalls all its products over listeria concerns

Blue Bell Creameries is recalling all of its ice cream products over listeria fears — (Image credit: Facebook/Blue Bell Creameries)

Late Monday, Texas ice cream maker Blue Bell Creameries recalled all its products after two samples of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream tested positive for listeriosis, a potentially fatal foodborne illness caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The voluntary recall follows a partial recall and the closure of an Oklahoma facility earlier in the month.

"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," said CEO Paul Kruse in a statement.

The recall affects retailers in 23 states and international markets. Blue Bell, a family-owned creamery that has been making ice cream for 108 years, says it will return to market after it tracks down the source of the listeria and tests all its products for the bacteria.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.