In April, Blue Bell Creameries voluntarily recalled its products because of a listeria outbreak that killed three people, prompting the disappearance of the company's frozen yogurt, ice cream and sherbet products from grocery store freezers.
Although federal health experts advised consumers throw away the products they have bought, some are cashing in on their stashes as it is now revealed that enterprising individuals are selling Blue Bell ice cream on Craigslist.
The classified advertisement website has multiple listings for the commodity, albeit they are priced far higher than those usually sold in the grocery shelves. Those who crave for ice cream have to spend as much as $10,000 for a taste of Blue Bell.
Some sellers claim that the products they sell are listeria-free because they are still fine after eating them. Some, on the other hand, said that they will not be held responsible should any of their buyers get sick by eating the products.
One seller claims that the Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla he offers is safe to eat because he just ate half of it a few months ago. Another seller, on the other hand, offers a gallon of Caramel Turtle Cheesecake for $10,000. Still, another was selling a pint of the Krazy Kookie Dough variant also for $10,000.
"Purchased just mere weeks ago, this is like an oasis in the desert for you ice cream lovers," one Craigslist advertisement, which has since been taken down, read. "Buyer assumes all responsibility for transport, and or any Listeria contracted from product as well."
Last month, Blue Bell products were also sold on Ebay but the company has already removed the listings.
Blue Bell announced the recall after listeria was found in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream half gallons that were produced in March. The bacteria pose risks for older adults, those with weakened immune systems and pregnant women, who may experience miscarriage or have stillbirth. Those infected may suffer from stiffness, headaches, nausea and fever.
Blue Bell CEO Paul Kruse said that they are removing all of their products off the shelves until the company is confident they are already safe. The company has announced on Thursday that it has entered into agreements with Oklahoma and Texas to bring back the products to the market.
"The voluntary agreements, signed today, detail certain actions Blue Bell will take to help give the public confidence that when Blue Bell products return to market, they are safe," the company said in a statement. "The actions include rigorous facility cleaning and sanitizing, revised testing protocols, revised production policies and procedures designed to prevent future contamination, and upgraded employee training initiatives."
Photo: Randy OHC | Flickr
