Blue Bell just announced that their Alabama plant has started production of their beloved ice cream once again. The announcement comes after state health officials gave the company the green light to resume production of the desert.
On Wednesday, Blue Bell tweeted the good news saying that their Alabama plant is "cranking out ice cream" and that they are once again building inventory, according to CNN.
We’re busy at our Sylacauga, AL, facility crankin’ out ice cream and building inventory.
— Blue Bell Ice Cream (@ILoveBlueBell) August 5, 2015
Apparently, Blue Bell's Alabama plant has started production and testing since July 8. Their ice cream was tested both by the state as well as the company, which "found no sample products that would not meet standards," according to Jim McVay from the Alabama health department.
Director of the department's Division of Food, Milk and Lodging, Ron Dawsey, added that Blue Bell's Sylacauga creamery had already been inspected by the state. The company was successfully able to meet all state public health standards, according to ABC.
In April, Blue Bell recalled all its ice cream and shut down all its plants after the listeria bacteria was found in some products. At the time of the recall announcement, CEO and President Paul Kruse of Blue Bell said that the decision was voluntary. He added that the products which have been contaminated were traced back to their Brenham, Texas facility, the location of their headquarters.
According to WFAA 8 ABC, earlier this year, Blue Bell tweeted that the trial runs have started in Alabama instead of the Brenham plant because the Alabama plant is smaller and it's easier and quicker to make improvements there.
"Brenham will likely be the last plant to restart production, according to our sister station in Austin," the tweet read.
As of the current moment, Blue Bell is building its inventory. However, Blue Bell spokeswoman Jenny Van Dorf said the ice cream maker does not yet have a date as to when their products will be returning to store shelves, reported WVTM 13.
"At this time, we do not have a date when our products will return to market," Van Dorf said.
A few weeks ago, Blue Bell ice cream received investment from Texas billionaire Sid Bass, according to The Inquisitr. The investment likely saved the struggling 108-year-old company from completely closing following the listeria outbreak. The private company has not disclosed the amount Bass has invested.
Lately, the deadly Listeria bacteria has become a big problem for the industry. In June, the same problem caused the week-long shut down of 20-plus shops of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream. The bacteria is potentially life-threatening and was reported to be most dangerous to pregnant women, young children, the elderly people and people with weak immune system.
