A local distributor has suspended deliveries of Blue Bell ice cream after the Texas-based company announced a voluntary recall of its products, citing a possible health risk.

A sampling of Blue Bell products in the United States produced several positive tests for Listeria bacteria, a Ministry of Health spokeswoman said.

The bacterium can cause potentially serious illnesses in people who consume contaminated food.

“AC Brewer Distributors Ltd has advised retailers to accept back any product that may be returned by their customers which they will, in turn, collect for disposal,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Department of Health has also contacted all food establishments independently to ensure the products are removed.

“The recall was the result of findings from an enhanced sampling programme initiated by Blue Bell which revealed that Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream half gallons produced on March 17, 2015 and March 27, 2015, contained the bacteria.

“Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.”

The recall is aimed at removing from the market all products that might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The distributor said its suspension of deliveries, effective today, would enable their trucks to focus on removing all Blue Bell products from their customers’ stores.