The U.S. ice cream maker Blue Bell Creameries was aware of the listeria contamination in one of its plants as early as 2013, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S Food and Drug Administration.

The Texas-based company found strong evidence of listeria in its Broken Arrow, Oklahoma plant far back in March 2013 but failed to improve its sanitation programs, the report said.

The company then continued to ship ice cream produced in that plant until authorities found out this spring that 10 listeria illnesses, including three deaths, were related to their products.

Listeria affects primarily pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and adults with weakened immune systems. Its symptoms include diarrhea, nausea and fever.

The report describes tests that indicated a high likelihood, or "presumptive positive", for listeria on surfaces such as floors, pallets used to store and carry ingredients and other non-food-contact surfaces saying that there was inaction or not enough action by Blue Bell.

The company pulled all its products off store shelves last month, which were distributed in 23 U.S. states and overseas countries including China. The company has also shut down all its four production facilities in the state of Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas for an intensive cleaning.

Blue Bell said Thursday it will be at least several months before its products are back in stores, the Houston Chronicle reported.

As the nation's third-largest maker of ice cream, Blue Bell has captured some 6.4 percent of the market. As of last year, it was on its way to reach 1 billion U.S. dollars in annual sales. Endi

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