Cookie Dough Company Shuts Down in Light of Listeria Contamination Issue

Aspen Hills, the cookie dough manufacturer with a Listeria contamination issue has decided to shut its operations.  In October, Aspen Hills product was found to contain Listeria by Blue Bell.  The company announced a recall which caused a number of customer companies to announce recalls. At which time FDA conducted an investigation and later issued a Warning Letter.

The Des Moines Register
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2017/02/02/iowa-cookie-dough-supplier-shuts-down-after-listeria-outbreak/97401586/
Iowa cookie dough supplier shuts down after listeria outbreak
Associated Press 12:09 p.m. CT Feb. 2, 2017

BRENHAM, Texas - Aspen Hills of Garner, Ia., is closing its doors after federal inspectors have confirmed that listeria found in a brand of Blue Bell ice cream originated with the third-party supplier.

The Houston Chronicle reports that the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter last month to Aspen Hills detailing the company's failures in preventing contamination.

The contamination that prompted Blue Bell to issue a recall in October was traced to Aspen Hills' chocolate chip cookie dough.

Blue Bell credited its testing program with identifying the presence of listeria in the dough.

At the time, Blue Bell was regaining some of its market share following a debilitating recall the year before resulting from 10 listeria cases in four states, including three deaths in Kansas.

The Chronicle reported that Aspen Hills owners Thomas and Nancy Lundeen said this week that they have decided to exit their business. They might sell it. Aspen Hills ceased production at the end of December.

We are committed to addressing any questions raised by the FDA so that the agency can be assured that our commitment to the safety and wholesomeness of our products will not waver even as we exit the market," Aspen Hills spokesman Jon Austin said in an email.