FDA: Blue Bell Knew About Listeria

The Food and Drug Administration says Blue Bell Creameries knew about listeria contamination that killed three people this year as far back as 2013. Traces of the bacteria were found at the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma plant on floors, pallets holding ingredients, and non-food-contact surfaces in 2013, but the ice cream company failed to properly act, according to the FDA. Other bacteria, such as coliform, were also found in 2014. Blue Bell issued a statement saying “several swab tests did show the presence of listeria on non-food surfaces” and the company “would immediately clean the surfaces,” as is protocol. “We thought our cleaning process took care of any problems, but in hindsight, it was not adequate, which is why we are currently conducting such a comprehensive re-evaluation of all our operations.”