SYLACAUGA, Ala. — After a summer-long absence, Blue Bell Ice Cream is back on grocery store shelves, and a hashtag in honor of its return is trending across the state.
#BlueBellIsBack.
Blue Bell recalled its products in April due to health concerns and its ice cream has been off store shelves ever since. 10 people were infected with several strains of listeria by consuming the company’s ice cream in Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The Texas-based creamery’s CEO Paul Kruse issued a video statement after the initial recall, saying the company is “heartbroken over this situation, and apologize to all of our loyal Blue Bell fans and customers.”
The recall was the first in Blue Bell’s century-long history, and the company vowed to make it right.
“Ice cream is a joy and a pleasure to eat,” Kruse said. “It certainly is for me, and I do it every day, and it should never be a cause for concern. And for that, we do apologize, and we’re going to get it right.”
Sylacauga’s plant resumed production on July 20, and the first shipments were delivered Monday morning.
Facebook and Twitter are being flooded with pictures of Alabamians and Texans rushing to their local grocer to pick up a half-gallon of the frozen treat, which has long been considered a staple in southern freezers.
Not all heroes wear capes??
#BlueBellisBack pic.twitter.com/OXY9sTIhNV
— Taylor Skyles (@taylorskyles1) August 31, 2015
Brenham residents are up early this morning to get their Blue Bell fix! #bluebellisback https://t.co/Ats4gm8Fwy
— Blue Bell Ice Cream (@ILoveBlueBell) August 31, 2015
RT _TheClassRoom: Breakfast, Lunch and possibly Dinner tonight. #BlueBell #BlueBellisBack pic.twitter.com/hP2nqiAuF7
— Breakfast King (@king_breakfast) August 31, 2015
Y'all. #BlueBellIsBack, and in three days, so is college football.
Life is SO GOOD!
— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizTBeShears) August 31, 2015
Are you planning on grabbing some Blue Bell Ice Cream to celebrate this week? Share your pictures with us on our Facebook page!
Like this article? Hate it? Follow me and let me know how you feel on Twitter!
— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.