The move is part of Blue Bell’s efforts to bring its ice cream products back in the market.
Advertisement
Blue Bell Creameries is set to begin trial runs at their Sylacauga, Alabama plant later this month.
The July 20 date is subject to change and the state department will have an official present during the trial run, said Ron Dawsey, a spokesman for the Alabama Health Department. “Thanks again for your support”. Some fans of the ice cream were not deterred by the bacterial outbreak, taking to Craigslist to buy old tubs of the frozen treat for inflated prices. However, according to the Texas Department of Health, Blue Bell has not reported any plans to produce ice cream at the two Texas plants.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the USA Food and Drug Administration.
The voluntary agreement calls for a trial production period before ice cream is distributed to consumers.
Blue Bell promptly shut down production in its four manufacturing plants in order to sterilize the facilities and implement improvements.
The ice cream maker issued a recall of its product line back in April after discovering traces of Listeria in its samples.
The company says on its web site, “We are working as quickly and safely as we can to get back to doing what we love; making ice cream”.
Advertisement
Greg Bridges, vice president of operations for the company, talked about its commitment to its consumers: “Our focus throughout this process has been to sure the public that when our products return to market, they are safe”.
