The Washington Post reported this week the Federal Food and Drug Administration is investigating a listeria outbreak in Kansas that may have been caused by Blue Bell ice cream products. Three (3) people have died from the listeria, and a total of five (5) have gotten sick between January 2014 and January 2015. Officials also detected three of those strains in a Texas Blue Bell production plant, where the company is based. Health departments in South Carolina and Texas also found listeria in certain Blue Bell products.
According to the FDA, Listeria is the name of a bacteria found in soil and water and some animals, including poultry and cattle. It can be present in raw milk and foods made from raw milk. Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the cold temperature of the refrigerator. Listeria is killed by cooking and pasteurization. Listeriosis, an infection caused by Listeria, can pose major risks for certain populations. Namely, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at greater risk.
Blue Bell Creameries announced it recalled the affected products and had them removed from store shelves. “One of our machines produced a limited amount of frozen snacks with a potential listeria problem.”
Blue Bell’s cup, pint and half-gallon products are not affected by this current outbreak. The FDA has warned consumers not to eat any of these products:
- Chocolate Chip Country Cookie
- Great Divide Bar
- Sour Pop Green Apple Bar
- Cotton Candy Bar
- Scoops
- Vanilla Stick Slices
- Almond Bars
- 6 pack Cotton Candy Bars
- 6 pack Sour Pop Green Apple Bars
- 12 pack No Sugar Added Mooo Bar
This is obviously a scary situation for people who may have been affected by this product. There is the potential that the families of those who have died could have a wrongful death lawsuit against Blue Bell if they can prove that the listeria bacteria came from their plant and made these people sick. This type of wrongful death lawsuit would be filed as a product liability case as the company is alleged to have put a dangerous or defective product into the stream of commerce. I have not seen any news of lawsuits that were filed against Blue Bell for this outbreak of listeria.
If you or someone you love has been injured from a defective or dangerous product or has a Chicago wrongful death case, then contact Chicago personal injury lawyer, Aaron Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076.