Blue Bell Creameries Approved To Resume Production At Alabama Facility

Blue Bell — the Texas ice cream company that was forced to recall its entire product line earlier this year and stop production as the result of a listeria outbreak — has been approved to resume production at its facility in Sylacauga, Alabama.

However, "at this time, we do not have a date when our products will return to market," the company said in a statement to KPRC 2, a local news station.

Blue Bell's plants in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas have been closed since April, after officials confirmed 10 cases of listeria, three of which resulted in death. The USDA subsequently discovered that Blue Bell had likely known about the presence of listeria since 2013, but did not act.

In late July, the Sylacauga plant began a trial run of production in order to test new hygiene protocols and training measures. This summer, the company also received a "significant investment" from Texas billionaire Sid Bass, whose "additional capital will ensure the successful return of our ice cream to the market and our loyal customers," Blue Bell announced.