FDA warns about Likelihood of More Victims from Deadly Blue Bell Ice Cream

A warning about more victims has been issued by the US Food and Drug Administration over the Blue Bell ice cream brand Scoops being contaminated with the deadly Listeria virus that claimed three lives in Kansas over the weekend. The outbreak linked to Scoops lasted from January 2014 to January 2015, but the FDA has raised concerns over high chances of more victims in case of consumption of contaminated products kept in home freezers.

According to the FDA, five Kansans were infected by the deadly pathogen during their stay at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis in Wichita. They all were receiving treatments for unrelated conditions. The mortality rate of the pathogen is nearly 20%.

Blue Bell CEO Paul Cruse recently said that they have not been using the machine to make Scoops and other single-serve items for about a month and a half now. He also said that this production line was troubled. Health investigators, according to Cruse, believe that the Listeria problem is only linked to the one line that makes Scoops and nine other products. The company has already recalled the products from the market place.

“Likely what happened is the piece of machinery was contaminated. The liquid form of the ice cream goes through the machine when it's not yet frozen, but around 40 degrees, and it's a great place for listeria to grow”, said food safety lawyer Bill Marler.

CDC claimed that consumption of milkshakes prepared with Scoops ice cream led at least four of the five patients to develop listeriosis.

CDC explained listeriosis is a serious condition and is developed after eating food contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. CDC has recommended everyone to consult a doctor if they experience fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. You should immediately seek medical care if you develop fear and chills after eating the ice cream, said the CDC.