HEALTH OFFICIALS LIST STEPS FOR BLUE BELL TO RESTART PRODUCTION

  

Texas health officials today finalized with Blue Bell Creameries the steps the company must take before selling ice cream from its Brenham plant. The company temporarily shut down its operation following the discovery of Listeria monocytogenes in certain ice cream products.

Texas health officials outlined requirements and milestones the company must reach before releasing ice cream into the marketplace. The company agreed to the terms with the state early Thursday.

Blue Bell must notify the Texas Department of State Health Services at least two weeks before its intent to start producing ice cream for sale so health officials can conduct a full assessment of the company’s progress and test results. The company must conduct trial production runs of ice cream that will be tested separately by DSHS and the company for Listeria monocytogenes. The products must consistently test negative before they can be distributed to the public. A trial run with negative test results must occur for each production line before the line can begin making ice cream for sale.

State health inspectors will be on site at the Brenham plant regularly to evaluate test results and monitor the trial runs. The company will be testing ice cream, ingredients, food surfaces, machinery and other equipment in its Brenham plant for Listeria monocytogenes and allow state health inspectors to review all results.

For at least two years after resuming production, Blue Bell must report any presumptive positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes in a product or ingredient to DSHS within 24 hours. For at least one year after resuming production, Blue Bell must implement “test and hold” procedures for all finished product, meaning products made at the Brenham plant must have negative test results before they can be distributed for sale to the public.

State health officials also are reviewing deep-cleaning procedures, ongoing sanitation processes and training activities at the Brenham plant. Blue Bell has retained an independent expert to oversee sanitation efforts and, as part of the agreement, will conduct root cause analyses to try to determine the sources of contamination.

 

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5 Comments

  1. I am older than you; one of the vulnerable old folks at risk. About 10 years ago I went exclusively Blue Bell, the hometown brand. I bought 4 cartons (still a full half gallon) of Blue Bell before they were pulled and am hoping they last. I would have bought more but that’s all the room I had in the freezer. I have had to ration, but I plan to continue to enjoy.
    I also agree with expanding inspections to other makers.

  2. So will this effect the other ice cream producers? Maybe they need to start looking at there facilities instead of blasting BlueBell all over the news. To me it’s time for the Health officials to go to the other places that produce ice cream!!!! Proud BLUEBELL SUPPOTER!!!!

    1. I totally agree with you Justin, I am sure that other ice cream, milk product factories will have this Listeria……Media needs to quit bashing out Blue Bell……..media needs to research other factories………I want the Blue Bell ice cream back but MOST of all I am concerned for the employees……………..

      1. I am 64 years old and have eaten Blue Bell all my life. I agree with others who are saying lets get into some other ice cream factories and check them out for Listeria. Blue Bell is working hard and will get this problem fixed. I’m continuing to enjoy an occasional dish of Blue Bell that I still have in my freezer. Blue Bell employees and all the Kruse family has this families full support!!

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