Blue Bell Ice Cream Returns To Select Stores After Listeria Recall

Syeda Hasan, News 88.7

Houston Mayor Annise Parker cut the ceremonial ribbon on the Blue Bell ice cream freezer at Pyburn’s Farm Fresh Foods on Scott Street. Blue Bell Creameries issued a recall in April after ice cream contaminated with listeria was linked to three deaths at a Kansas hospital. That prompted the Brenham-based company to shut down production while facilities were sanitized.

Parker says food safety has to be taken seriously, and Blue Bell has done the work to ensure its products are safe.

“For Texans who have loved Blue Bell ice cream for their whole lives, this is a really great day,” Parker says.

Dozens of customers lined up after Mayor Parker to make their own purchases. Bernadine Taylor lives down the street from the grocery store. She picked up a half gallon of Homemade Vanilla along with some ice cream comes.

“I’ve been waiting for a long time for it to come back,” Taylor says. “It’s the best ice cream I’ve ever had.”

Blue Bell has released four flavors so far, Dutch Chocolate, Cookies ’n Cream, Homemade Vanilla and The Great Divide. Officials say more will be added over the next several weeks.