HOUSTON – Mark the date! Blue Bell Creameries announced Monday it will begin distributing ice cream to select markets, including Houston and Brenham, on Aug. 31.
"Over the past several months we have been working to make our facilities even better, and to ensure that everything we produce is safe, wholesome and of the highest quality for you to enjoy," Ricky Dickson, vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Bell, said in a statement. "This is an exciting time for us as we are back to doing what we love... making ice cream."
Blue Bell said it has notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as state health officials in Alabama and Texas, of its plan to re-enter select markets on a limited basis.
In April, Blue Bell voluntarily recalled all of its products after some were linked to 10 cases of listeriosis. Three of those people, all in Kansas, died.
The Blue Bell facility in Sylacauga, Alabama, began producing ice cream in late July. The production facilities in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Brenham are still undergoing upgrades similar in nature to the Alabama plant.
Blue Bell said its products will re-enter parts of 15 states in five phases. The first of the five phases includes the Houston, Brenham and Austin areas, as well as parts of Alabama, including Birmingham and Montgomery.
"So glad. I've been waiting for so long. I'm ready to get the cookies and cream. I'm so excited!" said Houstonian Marissa Lopez.
"I might not buy it the first week. I might see what happens," said another person.
The company released the next phases:
- Phase Two: North central Texas and southern Oklahoma
- Phase Three: Southwest Texas and central Oklahoma
- Phase Four: The majority of Texas and southern Louisiana.
- Phase Five: Complete the states of Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas and begin distribution in Arkansas, Florida, northern Louisiana and Mississippi. This phase will also include only parts of the following states: Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Only dates for phase one are known at this time, the company said, and it will enter each phase based on product availability and when it can service the customers in an area.