HOUSTON (AP) — Federal regulators say they're now aware of 10 listeria illnesses linked to ice cream and other products made by Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries over the last five years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had previously reported eight illnesses from Kansas and Texas, including three deaths in Kansas. The agency said Tuesday that two more illnesses have been confirmed in Oklahoma and Arizona. CDC says those sickened fell ill between January 2010 and January 2015. Blue Bell recalled all of its products late Monday after two samples of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream tested positive for listeria bacteria. The recall includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks distributed in 23 states and abroad.
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an earlier report on this story follows:
BRENHAM, Texas (AP) — Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries is recalling all of its products on the market after two samplings of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream tested positive for listeriosis. Blue Bell's chief executive Paul Kruse said in a statement Monday night that the company "can't say with certainty" how the bacteria was introduced to the manufacturing line. The company last month issued its first recall after ice cream contaminated with listeriosis was linked to three deaths at a Kansas hospital. Five others in Kansas and Texas were sickened with the disease. The foodborne illness was tracked to a production line in Brenham, Texas, and later to a second line in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The recall extends to retail outlets in 23 states and internationally.
