SYLACAUGA, Ala. — Most of the summer has passed since the Ice Cream Company Blue Bell recalled all products after a listeria scare but now ice cream lovers can rejoice because the Alabama Department of Public Health (DPH) has placed “no restrictions” on the sale of Blue Bell ice cream made at the company’s Sylacauga plant.
Given those findings, Jim McVay, director of health promotion and chronic disease for the Alabama health department said: “We do not have any restrictions on them, because again we have no results that have shown that they could not sell the product.”
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 has been using a “test and hold” policy implemented by DPH.
Blue Bell must inform the state of any future test results.
There has yet to be a date announced for when Blue Bell products will be available for consumer purchase, but the announcement is a good sign for fans of the Texas-Based brand.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.