There’s good news for ice-cream lovers–Blue Bell has been given the okay to resume production at its facility in Sylacauga, Alabama, reports MSN.
In April, Blue Bell recalled its entire product line and stopped production due to a listeria outbreak. In total, 10 listeria confirmed cases of listeria, 3 of which resulted in death.
Blue Bell’s production facilities have been closed since April and in the meantime a federal report released by the United States Department of Agriculture “found that Blue Bell likely became aware of the presence of listeria in one of its plants in 2013, but did nothing,” reported The Daily Meal.
“The report, which was released to the Houston Chronicle under the Freedom of Information Act, describes a ‘presumptive positive’ result for listeria on surfaces in Blue Bell’s Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, plant in 2013. The company, however, failed to improve its sanitation efforts at the time, and only suspended operations at the facility in April of this year.”
In July, The Daily Meal also reported that Blue Bell was working on trial runs, testing new hygiene protocols.
Also in July, billionaire oil tycoon Sid Bass made a significant investment in Blue Bell.
“We are pleased Sid Bass has made a significant investment with our company,” announced Blue Bell CEO Paul Kruse. “The additional capital will ensure the successful return of our ice cream to the market and our loyal customers.”
Although production is set to begin again in Alabama, Blue Bell told an Alabama news station they do not have a specific date when products will be in stores.
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