Blue Bell goes back on store shelves

ajc.com

Credit: AP

Credit: AP


Blue Bell Creameries announced Monday the ice cream will be back on select store shelves starting Aug. 31.

“Over the past several months we have been working to make our facilities even better, and to ensure that everything we produce is safe, wholesome and of the highest quality for you to enjoy,” said Ricky Dickson, vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Bell.

The company issued a voluntary recall after a listeria outbreak killed three people.

The ice cream won’t show up in Oklahoma until the second phase of the rollout.

  • Phase Two:  North-central Texas and southern Oklahoma
  • Phase Three:  Southwest Texas and central Oklahoma
  • Phase Four:  The majority of Texas and southern Louisiana.
  • Phase Five:  Complete the states of Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas and begin distribution in Arkansas, Florida, northern Louisiana and Mississippi. This phase will also include only parts of the following states:  Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

“This is an exciting time for us as we are back to doing what we love -- making ice cream,” Dickson said.

The Blue Bell production facility in Sylacauga, Alabama, began producing ice cream in late July.

Plants in Brenham, Texas, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, are still undergoing facility and production process upgrades similar to those made at the Alabama plant.

Three people died

After months of cleaning and inspections the first trucks are leaving a Blue Bell plant loaded with ice cream.

The company's website now says the ice cream will be back on shelves Aug. 31.

The company posted video on its Twitter account: