FSSAI Issues INFOSAN Alert on Recall of Ice Cream and other Frozen Products due to Listeria Contamination

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified all stakeholders as well as the public on 7^th May, 2015 that it has received an alert from the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) regarding the recall of ice cream and other frozen products due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

In early March 2015, Blue Bell Creameries, Brenham, Texas, USA started recalling their ice cream products potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On April 20, 2015, the company expanded its recall to include other frozen products including yoghurt, sherbet and frozen snack, which could also be potentially contaminated with the microbe. The recall was made after the organism was found in half gallon of chocolate chip cookie dough Ice cream manufactured on March 17 and March 27, 2015. Ten people had fallen ill after consuming the product in the USA. All were hospitalized and there were 3 deaths. The incident was investigated by the USFDA and CDC, Atlanta. Three serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes – 1/2a, 1/2b and 3b – were involved in the outbreak, as identified by pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns. No other cases have been reported from any other country so far.

It may be noted that Blue Bell Creameries’ ice cream or its other frozen products are not sold in India; but since they can be purchased through the internet, the stakeholders and the general public have been alerted. The FSSAI has alerted all the concerned countries where the Blue Bell frozen products are sold. The International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee of the WHO have also been alerted.

What is Listeriosis?

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection most commonly caused by Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis mainly causes infection of the central nervous system, resulting conditions such as meningitis. It primarily infects the young, the old, pregnant women and people having a weak immune system. In pregnant women, it causes miscarriage, still-births and premature labor. In healthy individuals, it causes gastroenteritis. Infection occurs via the oral route by consumption of contaminated food. Treatment for this disease involves the administration of antibiotics.