August 31, 2015
Blue Bell Creameries began delivering ice cream to select regions on Monday after the Texas-based company announced a voluntary recall of all of its ice cream and frozen treat products from store shelves due to continuing problems with the listeria bacteria in April.
The bacteria was detected in chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream samples that were tested in March.
Despite the recall of all of the company's frozen products, people took to Craigslist in May to sell their old tubs of ice cream. One person in Dallas tried selling their ice cream for $10,000, advertising it as "listeria-free."
Customers in Brenham, Texas, made their way to stores on Monday morning to get their tubs of the ice cream.
Monday marked the first phase of Blue Bell's return, which includes distribution to the Brenham, Houston and Austin, Texas, areas, as well as Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama.
“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.
Blue Bell fans shared their excitement for the ice cream's return on Twitter.
It's ok little fella, we're almost home #BlueBell #bluebellisback pic.twitter.com/TTako4K2e2
— Leslie Allrich (@leslieallrich) August 31, 2015
Almost every customer I've seen today is getting Blue Bell #BlueBellisBack
— Natasha Murphy (@NatashaMurphy95) August 31, 2015
To brave the lines at HEB for BlueBell or or not to brave the lines... #BlueBellisBack #Decisions...
— Joy Johnston (@Joytastic) August 31, 2015
Ice cream for breakfast is only okay when it's blue bell 😍❤️ #BlueBellIsBack pic.twitter.com/KR2MCVmiUz
— ❀Megan❀ (@MeggerzE) August 31, 2015
Check out where Blue Bell will be distributing next here.
