Dive Brief:
- Blue Bell Creameries is going to begin trial production runs at its Sylacauga, AL plant following a full product recall that caused the company to shut down all of its creameries earlier this year.
- "The limited production runs will test the effectiveness of new procedures, facility enhancements and employee training. After the trial period, the company will begin building inventory to resume commercial sales," the company said in a statement.
- There is no set date for when test production will begin or for when Blue Bell products could return to stores.
Dive Insight:
During these test runs, both Blue Bell and state health officials will test the ice cream produced. The company agreed to submit to Alabama state health testing in June, and sources close to the matter said that Blue Bell had minor legal details to iron out with Alabama specifically.
Whether Blue Bell will stand as a testament as to what companies should do if they are the target of a food or beverage product recall is not yet clear, but so far Blue Bell's cooperation has been thorough as the company works to get its products back to market both quickly and safely. However, Blue Bell may have had a misstep last month when it was discovered that the company had ordered a quiet "withdrawal" rather than a recall in the beginning.