Risk of Listeria Contamination
Since the beginning of November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled five brands of ice cream manufactured in southern California due to potential listeria contamination.
What brands of ice cream have been recalled?
The FDA recalled ice creams sold under L.A. Creamery, Nancy’s Ice Cream, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, and Manila Sky Purple Yumm. On November 11th, the above initial list of recalled brands grew to include Agave Dream ice cream. The four brands are owned by a combined four different companies and were all manufactured at Dr. Bob’s in Upland, California.
Not all ice cream produced under these brands is contaminated. The recalls and risk of listeria infection apply only to those cartons manufactured at Dr. Bob’s, LLC. To determine if your ice cream was produced at Dr. Bob’s, check the flavor/code date against the recall notices.
Why have they been recalled?
All five brands of ice cream were recalled after federal inspectors with the FDA discovered Listeria monocytogenes at the manufacturer, Dr. Bob’s. The inspectors discovered the microorganisms during routine inspections of the facility.
The FDA began issuing recalls of the brands listed above after an unnamed brand’s products were pulled from store shelves and tested positive for listeria. There is no information on how Dr. Bob’s manufacturing facility became contaminated, and the company is not responding to media requests for comments.
What is listeria?
Listeria is a bacteria considered to be more deadly than e. Coli and Salmonella combined. The bacteria infect humans, leading to listeriosis. According to an article in the Emerging Infectious Diseases academic journal, 20 percent of people infected with listeria that develop listeriosis die from the disease.
What are the health effects of listeria?
Listeria infections in healthy individuals typically result in nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, and a high fever for a short period. These infections, though, can be hazardous, even deadly, for elderly people, children, pregnant women, immunocompromised people, and other people with preexisting illnesses.
Listeria Symptoms Can Take 70 Days to Appear
The dangers of listeria are further increased by its prolonged incubation period. Symptoms can, in some cases, take up to 70 days to appear. This means that many people exposed to the infection may carry it for several months before being diagnosed, making attribution of the source of the infection difficult.
Where were these products distributed?
Most of the ice creams listed are distributed primarily in California. The Manila Sky Purple Yumm ice cream and Agave Dream ice creams are the only two distributed nationwide. Manila Sky Purple Yumm ice cream is also sold at trade shows, further increasing the reach of the contaminated ice cream.
No consumers of the ice creams discussed above have reported any illness.
What should you do if your family consumed the recalled ice cream?
Any person exposed to the above ice cream who develops symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. After the health crisis passes, those affected should seek the advice of experienced legal professionals to determine if they can pursue a lawsuit against those responsible.
Sacramento Food Poisoning Injury Lawyers
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:KW