Blue Bell still has a chance of returning their product to shelves.
Recent company statements have reported that Blue Bell icecream will restore production after the listeria crisis that brought it to a halt earlier this year in March. After a solid investment and rigorous testing from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Texas based icy treats maker might possibly return to markets soon.
Blue Bell is understandably undergoing severe scrutiny before they will be allowed to return their products to the shelves. They are testing new equipment and production procedures in order to restore the chaos ensued in March, when 10 cases of reported listeria were linked to their product, three of which were fatal.
Local Texas reports have brought attention to health departments in several states that around 25% of listeria cases remain untracked due to the limited amount of unrecorded samples. That leaves companies off the hook and makes matters more difficult for regulators and doctors to both treat and prevent potential loss of lives.
The icecream company was instantly forced to shut down production in March and recalled all its products from stores in April after the bacteria was identified in samples of their product. Listeria is a potentially fatal bacteria induced disease that can cause nausea, fever and diarrhea, or even death in cases of immunocompromised victims.
After the nationwide scandal, Blue Bell was required to lay off nearly 3,000 employees due to closed production lines, after seeing an increase in profits in the last two years. As of 2014, the company made $680 million in revenue, a significant increase from their 2013 stats of $621 million.
However, the listeria scare seemed to not have stopped production forever and employees might be returning to their old jobs if all conditions are clear. Due to an investment of $125 million from Texas billionaire Sid Bass, the future of the company seems secure and loyal customers will get back their favorite brand of icecream.
According to statements by Blue Bell’s president, Paul Krusse, the generous investment brings legitimacy to a brand on the brink of extinction and it will prove to be undeniably significant in their efforts to bounce back.
The FDA is not letting them slide by, though. According to Krusse, the company has restored plans under the eye of the Food and Drug Administration who were most decidedly “on a tear” after the listeria crisis.
Image source: newzbuzz.com
John Birks
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