FDA: Blue Bell knew about listeria contamination

Inspectors first found traces of listeria on a freezer floor on March 19, 2013 – the first of five occurrences in 2013, records show.

In 2014, 10 samples tested positive. And listeria was once again uncovered in 2015.

Blue Bell representatives were not immediately available for comment.

Aside from the freezer floor, other areas where listeria surfaced were on a pallet jack, a catwalk, half-gallon fillers, a drain and a water hose, records show.

“The procedure used for cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and utensils has not been shown to provide adequate cleaning and sanitizing treatment,” inspectors wrote. “Specifically, you failed to demonstrate your cleaning and sanitizing program is effective in controlling recurring microbiological contaminations. You continued to have presumptive positive environmental test results for Listeria spp. and elevated total coliform results following the daily cleaning and sanitizing treatments of your equipment and facilities.”

After two smaller recalls, Blue Bell issued a recall of all its products in late April. The recalls came after the FDA linked 10 listeria cases – including three deaths – to Blue Bell products.

Blue Bell has said the total recall was issued after listeria was found at one of its two Brenham plants. Initially, the company had believed products from listeria had only come from the Broken Arrow facility.

The recall encompasses a total of 8 million gallons of Blue Bell products, a spokesman told the American-Statesman last month.