Blue Bell recalls ice cream cups that could contain listeria

Blue Bell ice cream has added another product to the list of items it’s recalling over potential contamination with listeria.

The company said Monday that it’s recalling 3 oz. institutional/food service cups of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream after a test detected listeria in one of the cups recovered from a Kansas hospital.

There have been no illnesses reported from the cups, Blue Bell said.

“Investigation to determine whether these illnesses are related to exposure to Blue Bell products is ongoing,” the CDC said.

In early March, in light of the Kansas listeria outbreak, Blue Bell recalled a group of products made at a plant in Texas. It later added 3-ounce cup servings to the recall.

All five of them were hospitalized at the same hospital before developing listeriosis, the CDC said. At least four of them had consumed milkshakes made with Blue Bell ice cream before developing the infection.

“We are devastated and know that Blue Bell has to be and can be better than this,” Paul Kruse, Blue Bell CEO and president, said in a statement. “Quality and safety have always been our top priorities. We are deeply saddened and concerned for all those who have been affected.”

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with listeria, and primarily affects the elderly, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of a listeria infection are fever and muscle aches, sometimes associated with diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

In the United States, an estimated 1,600 people become seriously ill each year, and approximately 16% of these illnesses result in death. Cervical infections caused by listeriosis in pregnant women may result in stillbirth or spontaneous abortion during the second or third trimesters.

The CDC advises that individuals and institutions should check their freezers for the recalled products and throw them away.

In a statement on its website, Blue Bell said “this recall in no way includes Blue Bell ice cream half gallons, pints, quarts, 3 gallons or other 3 oz. cups.”

This is the first product recall in the 108-year history of Blue Bell Creameries, the company said.

Aunt Jemima frozen pancakes, waffles and French toast were recalled over concerns of listeria contamination.

Edamame sold in 33 states was recalled because it may be contaminated with listeria.

Tyson Foods Inc. is recalling approximately 132,520 pounds of fully cooked chicken nugget products that may be contaminated with hard plastic. The items in recall are 5-pound bags of fully cooked panko chicken nuggets with a "Best If Used By" date of July 18, 2017, and case code 2006SDL03 and 2006SDL33, and the 20-pound bulk packages of Spare Time fully cooked nugget-shaped chicken breast pattie fritters with rib meat with a production date of July 18, 2016, and case code 2006SDL03.

Frozen mixed vegetables and peas packaged by Bountiful Harvest, First Street, Great Value, Live Smart, Market Pantry and Sprout between the dates of September 2 and June 2 have been recalled due to listeria fears.

Some Clif Bar trail mix and energy bars were voluntarily recalled because they contain sunflower kernels that may have been contaminated with listeria.

Out of an abundance of caution, General Mills announced the voluntary recall of more than 10 million pounds of flour because it may be linked to an outbreak of E. coli O121 that has sickened 38 people across 20 states.

Products containing sunflower seeds produced by SunOpta are under a voluntary recall in at least 24 states over concerns about possible listeria contamination.The recall affects Planters and Sunrich Naturals sunflower kernels made between the dates of February 1 and April 21, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Publix has issued a voluntary recall for its cranberry nut and seed mix due to listeria concerns.

The Republic of Tea is voluntarily recalling its organic turmeric ginger green tea due to the possibility of salmonella contamination in one lot of the product. Here are some other food recalls since April 2015:

Foster Farms is recalling more than 220,000 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets after concerns they've been contaminated with plastic and rubber material. The products were sold in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, California and Arizona.

Pilgrim's Pride is recalling more than 4.5 million pounds of fully cooked chicken products in boxes of whole-grain breaded nuggets, patties, breakfast patties, tenderloins and popcorn-style varieties. They were sold under the Gold Kist Farms, Pierce and Sweet Georgia brands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture warns that it may be contaminated with "extraneous materials."

The company that owns Emerald-brand nuts is recalling 100-calorie packages of roasted and salted cashew halves and pieces. The packages are being recalled "due to the possible presence of small glass pieces," the company said on Friday, April 1. No injuries have been reported, but the recall was issued out of an abundance of caution following a consumer complaint.

Roland Foods issued an unrelated recall of fire-roasted red pepper strips, also because of possible glass fragments, the company said in a statement.

A company is voluntarily recalling frozen broccoli cuts sold in 11 states over fears of listeria contamination, the Food and Drug Administration said on April 1.

A Pennsylvania food bank is asking consumers to throw away cans of Mandarin oranges distributed from August to January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday, March 31.

Gerber voluntarily recalled two organic baby foods because a packaging defect may make them susceptible to spoilage during transport and handling, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the company said on March 24.

Bumble Bee Foods, Tri-Union Seafoods and H-E-B have voluntarily recalled canned chunk light tuna because of possible health risks, the Food and Drug Administration said in mid-March.

Popular grocery story chain Trader Joe's recalled a specific lot of raw cashew pieces over possible salmonella contamination. The nuts were sold in 30 states as well as Washington, D.C. On January 15, the company said it had removed all lots of cashew pieces from store shelves pending an investigation.

Milky Way International Trading Corp. announced a recall of its 8-ounce bottles of Nice! Mandarin Oranges because of glass in the product. The oranges were distributed to Walgreens stores.

General Mills recalled a "limited quantity" of Cascadian Farm Cut Green Beans. The 10-ounce bags had "Better If Used By" dates of April 10 and April 11, 2016.

Because of evidence of E. coli bacteria at the spring source, Niagara Bottling issued a voluntary recall of spring water produced at its two Pennsylvania plants from June 10 through June 18. There had been no signs of its product being contaminated or reports of consumers falling sick, the company said.

Blue Bell Ice Cream voluntarily recalled all of its products made at all of its facilities, the company said in an April 2015 news release. The products, which included ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and other frozen delights, were potentially contaminated with listeria. Listeria is rare, but it's still the third-ranking cause of death from food poisoning in the United States.

Sabra Dipping Co. recalled 30,000 cases of hummus due to possible contamination with listeria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in April 2015. The list of products in the recall included Sabra Classic Hummus 10 oz., Sabra Classic Hummus 30 oz., Sabra Classic Hummus without Garnish 32 oz., Sabra Classic Hummus 17 oz. Six Pack and Hummus Dual Pack Classic/Garlic 23.5 oz.

Recent food recalls

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CNN’s Debra Goldschmidt, Amanda Watts and Jacque Wilson contributed to this report.