Blue Bell Plans Production Test Run
NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Blue Bell announced today that it will begin a trial production run at one of its four creameries later this month, though the Brenham-based ice cream company says there is no firm date for when its products will hit shelves for sale.
State of Alabama health officials confirmed the news, saying representatives from Blue Bell laid out plans for the trial to start the week of July 20th.
For fans of the Texas brand, it's the first sign of the ice cream's return, since it was pulled from retailers in April.
"Every day I cross by the isle and I'm hoping to see Blue Bell. I can not wait to see it again," said Carolyn Dowling, who shops at the Kroger store at Alliance Town Center.
Blue Bell treats have been out of reach since April 20th, when the company voluntarily recalled every product, after a listeria outbreak was traced to several Blue Bell plants.
The company operates two plants in Texas, one in Oklahoma and one in Alabama.
Blue Bell Creameries pledged to reassess everything about its operations -- from cleaning to training.
Sarah Owens is another fan -- but as a mom, she wants to know the ice cream is safe.
"Children love ice cream. I'm a mother, so that would be one of the things I'm hoping -- that Blue Bell is taking precautions now, doing more to make sure it's safe for everyone," said Owens.
On Wednesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services said it has received no plans from Blue Bell for production to resume in this state.
Blue Bell will take several steps before that can happen.
The company must notify Texas health officials two weeks before it intends to resume production, so both the state and the company can test samples. Those samples must consistently test negative for listeria before the ice cream can be distributed and sold.
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