On April 20, Blue Bell Creameries announced that it was voluntarily recalling all of its products currently on the market made at any of its facilities due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Blue Bell CEO Paul Kruse said in a recent video that the company is doing the “100 percent right thing” by removing all of its products from the shelves until the company knows for certain that all of them are safe to eat.
IDFA continues to monitor both the recall and attendant media coverage closely, and has circulated several issue alerts to keep members informed. IDFA also has prepared resources and messages for all members to help them respond to potential questions from customers, consumers or local media.
IDFA has:
- Identified and briefed several third-party experts who can address questions on public health and food safety;
- Developed specific messages for member companies on the recall, the dairy industry’s Listeria monocytogenes control measures and the industry’s food safety commitment; and
- Hosted a webinar on environmental monitoring programs and pathogen control plans for members. A recording of the webinar is available upon request; contact Maria Velasco, IDFA meetings coordinator, at mvelasco@idfa.org for details.
“Whether you’re fielding calls from retailers, consumers or journalists, we want to make sure you have the information you need at your fingertips,” said Peggy Armstrong, IDFA vice president of communications.
For more information on Listeria monocytogenes, contact John Allan, IDFA vice president for regulatory and international standards, at jallan@idfa.org or 202-220-3519.
For help with media calls, contact Armstrong at parmstrong@idfa.org or 202-220-3508.
Members may login to read the latest alert for more details.