Texas grocery chain H-E-B pulls all Blue Bell products

SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Texas grocery chain H-E-B is pulling Blue Bell Ice Cream from shelves as a precaution after a recall of some of the ice cream maker’s products that were connected to three deaths in Kansas.

H-E-B, with more than 300 stores in Texas and northern Mexico, said the decision Saturday was a "precautionary measure due to food safety concerns." The chain said it’s working with Brenham, Texas-based Blue Bell to refill the stocks.

Blue Bell spokesman Gene Grabowski said the company respected and understood the action.

Blue Bell on Friday suspended operations at its Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, plant that officials previously had connected to contaminated ice cream. The company recalled products there and at a Texas plant that’s been linked to a foodborne illness connected to three deaths.