15 Most Shocking Food Recalls in American History

2. The Blue Bell Ice Cream Listeria Outbreak

In 2015, Blue Bell Creameries faced a devastating recall after listeria was found in its ice cream products. The outbreak resulted in three deaths and several illnesses, leading to the first-ever recall in the company's century-long history. The contamination was traced back to unsanitary conditions in the production facilities. This recall highlighted the critical need for stringent hygiene practices in food manufacturing and spurred a nationwide discussion about the responsibilities of food companies to ensure consumer safety. Blue Bell's response, though initially criticized for its slowness, eventually set a precedent for how companies should handle such crises.