CDC: Blue Bell Listeria Outbreak Went On For at Least Four Years

In April, Blue Bell Ice Cream recalled all of its products after a Listeria contamination. But it seems the outbreak went on for far longer than anyone realized. Jim Axelrod investigates.

Oct 14, 2015

In April, Blue Bell Ice Cream recalled all of its products after a Listeria contamination. But it seems the outbreak went on for far longer than anyone realized. CBS' Jim Axelrod investigates.

Latest in Safety
Today in Manufacturing Episode 288 promotional graphic featuring military aircraft, Chinese flag, Pentagon building, and GAINS sponsor logo
How F-35 Parts Got Shipped to China; Plastics Fire Aftermath in Michigan; Chemical Leak at Purina Plant | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 288
October 5, 2026
Emergency responders and firefighters assess damage at industrial warehouse with collapsed roof and debris
It Took At Least 16 Fire Departments and 2 Million Gallons of Water to Put Out Plastics Plant Blaze in Michigan
September 29, 2026
Pxl 20230914 1752289336578b5ed863c267e5c282a15bf68360a97915cd 4a Luo2dvco
SureWerx Acquires American Safety Clothing
September 11, 2026
Female warehouse worker in yellow hard hat and orange safety vest holding clipboard in industrial facility
Manufacturers Pay Price When Factory Workers Miss Critical Updates
September 9, 2026
Related Stories
Mnet 121748 3e8c969697d5ec27800f6a7067003e0f
Safety
Big Cities Scramble to be Prepared for an Oil Train Disaster
Mnet 121677 D1e68ee2280d2226800f6a7067006ab9
Safety
Hawaii Officials Reopen Waikiki Beach After Sewage Spill
Mnet 121645 D5085cef24ce1326800f6a7067003597
Safety
Sewage Spill Prompts Closure of Famed Hawaii Beach
Mnet 146341 School Lunch Makeover Lead 0
Safety
Poll: Nine of 10 Americans Want to Keep School Meals Healthy
More in Safety
Today in Manufacturing Episode 288 promotional graphic featuring military aircraft, Chinese flag, Pentagon building, and GAINS sponsor logo
Safety
How F-35 Parts Got Shipped to China; Plastics Fire Aftermath in Michigan; Chemical Leak at Purina Plant | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 288
Also on the podcast, Caterpillar commits $1 billion to expand U.S. manufacturing, criminal conspiracy targets cooking oil and new exoskeleton helps users walk upright again.
October 5, 2026
Emergency responders and firefighters assess damage at industrial warehouse with collapsed roof and debris
Safety
It Took At Least 16 Fire Departments and 2 Million Gallons of Water to Put Out Plastics Plant Blaze in Michigan
The smoke could be seen for 40 miles.
September 29, 2026
Pxl 20230914 1752289336578b5ed863c267e5c282a15bf68360a97915cd 4a Luo2dvco
Safety
SureWerx Acquires American Safety Clothing
The safety supplier has also added new manufacturer’s rep agencies.
September 11, 2026
Female warehouse worker in yellow hard hat and orange safety vest holding clipboard in industrial facility
Artificial Intelligence
Manufacturers Pay Price When Factory Workers Miss Critical Updates
About 80% of workers learn about changes after they've gone into effect, research says.
September 9, 2026
Hose-Pull can move across various types of surfaces, reducing ground friction to ease movements and physical stress.
Safety
Hose-Pull Designed to Improve Mobility of Large Hoses, Pipes
Omnidirectional wheels are made of 12 overmolded olive-shaped components integrated into a polymer rim.
September 8, 2026
Two RS10 industrial I/O control modules with yellow and black casing, featuring multiple input/output ports and configuration buttons
Safety
Mouser Adds Banner's RSio Remote Safe I/O Block for Machine Safety Applications
The block includes six inputs, each supporting up to 32 ISD-enabled devices and up to 192 devices per block.
August 31, 2026
AXEN AX4 portable multi-gas detector with orange casing, digital display, and dual sensor windows
Safety
Industrial Scientific Introduces 4-Gas Monitor for Everyday Industrial Work
Simple operation, fast charging and short lead-times help keep monitors in service.
August 20, 2026
A Taco Bell restaurant in Taylor, Mich., July 14, 2026.
Safety
Taco Bell Lettuce Confirmed as a Source in Cyclospora Outbreak
An FDA investigation identified a supplier of the lettuce.
July 17, 2026
Shadow10 Wintriss motorized linear actuator with red warning label and installation documentation
Safety
Shadow 10 Light Curtain
Protect an entire press with one light curtain system.
July 6, 2026
Smoke from a warehouse fire fills the air in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, June 21, 2026.
Safety
Los Angeles Mayor Declares Emergency Over Warehouse Fire
Authorities said the cold-storage warehouse has "85 million pounds of frozen food inside."
June 22, 2026
Smoke fills the sky after a train derailment near Carrington, N.D., July 5, 2024
Safety
Fiery 2024 Derailment Proves Need to Replace Flawed Tank Cars, NTSB Says
Regulators also said railroads need to change the way they assemble their trains.
June 12, 2026
Large petrochemical refinery complex with multiple distillation towers, cylindrical vessels, and interconnected piping systems under clear blue sky
Energy
Explosion at Petrochemical Plant Kills 1, Injures 7
The explosion occurred during a restart of the plant following maintenance.
May 22, 2026
Disassembled mechanical parts including bolts, metal rings, cylindrical shafts, and hardware measured against a yellow ruler on blue surface
Aerospace
Flaw That Led to Engine Flying Off UPS Plane Grew Unnoticed Under Relaxed Inspection Schedule
Boeing and FAA officials acknowledged that they misunderstood the risks.
May 21, 2026
Laboratory technician in white coat working with scientific equipment at a workstation in a research facility.
Laws & Regulations
What Happens When the EPA Sidelines Its Independent Chemical Referee
And why critics want them off the field.
May 20, 2026
Nighttime industrial fire with emergency response vehicles and power lines illuminated by orange flames and blue emergency lights
Safety
Years Before UPS Crash, 10 Similar Flaws Were Recorded
But federal officials said no one raised an alarm.
May 19, 2026