Blue Bell Creameries is expanding its recall of products on September 21, 2016 that were made with Aspen Hills cookie dough for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. They are now recalling all products made with that ingredient. Aspen Hills provide more information on affected lots so the recall was expanded. No illnesses have been reported to date, but the illness caused by this bacteria can take up to 70 days to appear.
Blue Bell states that their products in the marketplace have passed the test and hold program, they are initiating the recall “out of an abundance of caution.” The recall is conducted in cooperation with the FDA.
The recall is for Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Blue Bell Cookie Two Step in half gallons and pints, sold to retail outlets. Also recalled are three gallon flavors sold to food service accounts, including Blue Bell Blue Monster, Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie, and Blue Bell Krazy Kookie Dough. They were produced from February 2, 2016 through September 7, 2016. You can see pictures of the recalled product containers at the FDA web site.
The recalled products were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Throw them away or return them to the store where you bought them for a refund.
Then clean out your freezer with a mild bleach solution to kill any bacteria. Listeria bacteria can grow at refrigerator temperatures, and freezing does not kill it. Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling the containers.
If you ate any of these products, watch yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days. Those symptoms can be like the flu, or they can include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. If you do feel sick, see your doctor and tell him you ate this recalled ice cream.
