BLUE BELL TO LAUNCH PHASE FOUR DECEMBER 21ST

  

A week after Blue Bell Creameries launches its third phase of reintroduction into the market, the Brenham-based company says Phase 4 will start.

Tuesday, Blue Bell said it will put ice cream back on store shelves in Louisiana and the Jackson, Mississippi area starting December 21. Also, 115 furloughed employees will be brought back. That will mean about 1,000 furloughed employees will be back to work.

The company voluntarily recalled all of its products in April after listeria linked to the product led to illnesses and three deaths. A CDC investigation found various issues with Blue Bell production, which the company says it has been working to address through new equipment, cleaning and procedures.

December 14, the remaining majority of Texas, along with central and southern Alabama will get Blue Bell back with the start of Phase 3. There are five announced phases for the Blue Bell return.

The Brenham plant began production again earlier this month. It was the last of Blue Bell's plants to start making ice cream for distribution.

“We are excited to announce phase four and look forward to expanding our distribution area,” said Ricky Dickson, vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Bell, in a statement. “Our customers have shown great patience over the past several months and we cannot thank them enough.”

No new flavors were announced by the company Tuesday. Only five -- Buttered Pecan, Cookies ’n Cream, Dutch Chocolate, Homemade Vanilla and The Great Divide -- are being distributed, though the company said more will be added in the future. Vanilla and chocolate cups in packs of 12 are also being made.