Has Anyone Gotten Sick From The Blue Bell Recall? Ice Cream Fans Have Lucked Out So Far

Just a little more than a year after ice cream manufacturer Blue Bell resumed limited sales of its once listeria-contaminated desserts, the company has once again pulled some of its products off store shelves. Unlike the still-recent debacle that almost shuttered the family-run operation for good, no one has gotten sick from the Blue Bell recall so far. But ice cream lovers in general and Blue Bell aficionados in particular should be aware that, this time, it's products containing chocolate chip cookie dough (which originated with a supplier) that are the source of the voluntary recall.

In a statement posted both on Facebook, Blue Bell publicized the fact that its newest recall, announced Wednesday, includes nearly 2,000 product cartons of ice cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough half gallons (code date 082618226), Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough pints (code dates 081518242 and 082418242), and Cookie Two Step half gallons (code dates 080418222 and 081818224). "No illnesses have been reported to date, but Blue Bell is taking this step because we remain committed to producing a safe, high-quality, great-tasting ice cream for you and your family to enjoy," the statement reads in part.

Despite that there have been no reported illnesses, hospitalizations, or deaths connected with this recall, Blue Bell is undoubtedly experiencing a sick sense of déjà vu.

In early 2015, Blue Bell became publicly embroiled in a massive listeria outbreak that was eventually linked to 10 listeria-related infections and three deaths, Fortune reported. Listeria is a bacteria that can caused the infection listeriosis, and it struck in a big way that year — although it was later discovered that the company had identified listeria in a plant two years before, and that it had not alerted its customers. Worse, the bacteria had actually been making people sick since 2010. As a result of this revelation, the company halted production in each of its four plants and recalled all of its products, according to The Dallas Morning News. Romper reached out to Blue Bell for comment, and is awaiting the company's response.

Out of its 3,900 employees, Blue Bell laid off 1,450 and furloughed 1,400, according to Fortune. A $125 million loan commitment from a sympathetic billionaire save it from total collapse.

The most recent culprit products contain cookie dough from supplier Aspen Hills, Inc. and were distributed in 10 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. If you already have any of the recalled products in your freezer, now is the time to return them to the store for a full refund. Questions about the situation can be directed to 979-836-7977.