The Justice Department is investigating Blue Bell Creameries for the ice cream company’s handling of a listeria outbreak linked to its products, CNN reported Saturday.
In April 2015, Blue Bell recalled all of its products in 23 states due to listeria being found on a food service cup a month before, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigation showed the outbreak could have started in 2010.
CNN reported Saturday that federal investigators from the Justice Department are investigating if the company committed crimes while handling the incident.
There are 10 known cases of listeriosis linked to Blue Bell. Three of those people died.
Listeriosis is the infection caused by listeria, which is found in raw milk. Symptoms of the infection include fever, fatigue and body aches. Infections especially threaten the elderly, pregnant women and newborns.
Blue Bell plans to put its products back into the store later this month.
