Blue Bell Creameries recommences ice cream production at Brenham facility in Texas

Blue Bell Creameries has recommenced ice cream production at its facility in Brenham, Texas, US; a move that is considered to be a significant milestone for the company, which was almost in financial trouble following a listeria outbreak in April.

This plant has recently recommenced operations on a limited basis as the firm seeks to confirm that new procedures, facility enhancements and employee training are effective.

It intends to closely monitor and test the ice cream produced.

The company has not stated when its ice cream produced from the facility will be available for sale.

At least ten people in four states were hospitalised, and three people in Kansas died due to consumption of listeria-tainted ice cream produced by Blue Bell, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although the FDA inspection reports from 2007-2015 did not show proof of listeria contamination, it had cited several instances of violations in food safety measures.

The Brenham facility is the last of three facilities to recommence operations. The company’s facility in Sylacauga, Alabama, recommenced operations in July, and the facility in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, restarted operations in September.

Before recommencing operations, the company had signed agreements in these states, detailing the steps it had taken to prevent reoccurrence of listeria contamination.

In August, the firm began distributing ice cream in limited quantities.

Blue Bell Creameries vice-president of operations Greg Bridges was quoted by Food Safety News as saying: "We are excited to announce that Blue Bell Ice Cream is once again being made at our main production plant in Brenham.

"Over the past several months we have been preparing our facility for this day. We are very thankful for the patience and support our customers have shown Blue Bell."

The firm had sketched a five-phase plan to resume product distribution. Currently, it is in phase two. Under the third phase, which will begin on 14 December, products will be made available at stores in Texas and Alabama. The fourth phase, which will begin on 21 December, will see ice cream being made available at retail outlets in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Due to the outbreak, the 108-year-old company had to lay off 37% of its nearly 4,000 employees.

Before the outbreak, it was producing 60 flavours; however, now it only has five flavours.