Health Highlights: Dec. 31, 2015

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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Blue Bell Creameries Probed for Deadly Listeria Outbreak

Blue Bell Creameries is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with a deadly listeria outbreak earlier this year that killed three people.

An investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration following the outbreak discovered the bacteria in all three of the company’s ice cream production plants — located in Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas. That investigation also discovered condensation dripping into ice cream and unsanitary equipment, CBS News reported.

Following the outbreak, the company issued a nationwide recall and almost 8 million gallons of ice cream were pulled off the market.

All three plants, which were shut down last April, are operating again, and new ice cream products are set to hit store shelves in 15 states by the end of January, the network said.

The Department of Justice investigation is focused on whether Blue Bell management knew about the contaminated plants and, if so, when it knew, sources told CBS News.

Records have shown that the company knew about contamination at at least one plant back in 2013, according to CBS News.

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