Blue Bell Says Ice Cream Production Run Tests Have Yet To Begin
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Temperatures are rising and many people have been standing by, with bowl and spoon in hand, waiting for Blue Bell Creameries to resume production. Well, the wait is going to go on for a while longer.
Blue Bell representatives had said trials at its Sylacauga, Alabama plant would begin this week, but that didn't happen. In response to an email inquiry, spokeswoman Jenny Van Dorf said, "We hope to resume production there [Sylacauga] before the end of the month, but have not confirmed a date at this time."
Even when production and retail sales resume, there are reports the 'Little Creamery in Brenham' will only have 10 flavor choices.
Blue Bell voluntarily recalled ALL of its products back in April, after issuing a recall of select products a month earlier. Production was stopped and the products recalled because the company said their products "have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems."
Last week Fort Worth billionaire oilman Sid Bass said he would lend the company up to $125 million to get things back up and running. The money would offset the estimated $100 million Blue Bell has lost since the nationwide recall.
While Van Dorf said their facility in Texas was "making good progress" company officials say they have yet to confirm a date when production will resume or when products will be available.
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