Blue Bell Ice Cream Announces Trial Run Following Listeria Recall

Blue Bell Creameries has announced it will begin a small-scale trial production of its ice creams this month, in the wake of its listeria contamination scandal earlier this year.

The contamination, which caused three deaths in Kansas and led to a voluntary nationwide recall of all Blue Bell products, seemingly spelled doom for the popular Texas-based ice cream company -- after all, who wants to risk dying over a tub of ice cream? 

Nevertheless, after laying off 37% of its workforce and undertaking a massive cleanup effort, Blue Bell informed the Alabama State Health Department it intended to begin trial production at its Sylacauga plant. Production could begin as early as July 20th, although Blue Bell hasn't announced a specific start date yet.
 


Even though Blue Bell hasn't announced plans to begin trial tests in its Texas or Oklahoma plants, if the Alabama trial run proves successful, this could be the first step toward a comeback -- provided people can get over the stigma of consuming potentially deadly Cookies 'n Cream.


Gianni Jaccoma is a staff writer for Thrillist, and he really wants to believe the ice cream's safe again. Follow his tweets @gjaccoma, and send your news tips to news@thrillist.com