Dive Brief:
- Blue Bell, according to an FDA report on Wednesday, can likely identify the source of listeria in Alabama and Oklahoma, but not in its Texas plant. Also on Wednesday, the CDC wrapped up its investigation of Blue Bell Creameries following the discovery of a listeria contamination and a fullproduct recallin April.
- Now begins the process of guarding against future contamination. Blue Bell signed agreements with public health officials inAlabama,Oklahoma, and Texas. The FDA also published samplingresultsfromtests performedat Blue Bell facilities.
- Corrective actions involve sanitizing, adding safety features, testing and training. Blue Bell will steam clean equipment, modify the process for storing containers, remove wooden pallets from sanitary areas, andrequire workers to wear覆盖物在某些地区s. There will be end-product and environmental testing.
Dive Insight:
There is no official word yet on when Blue Bell will reopen and send itsworkforce, which has been laid-off or furloughed, back to their jobs. Blue Bell president and CEO Paul Kruse said in a statement, "We hope our efforts demonstrate the seriousness with which we are taking this situation, as well as our commitment to making sure we get this right. We are committed to seeing this plan through and to working with the FDA each step of the way. Once Blue Bell, the FDA and the applicable state regulators agree we are ready to reintroduce products into commerce, we plan to resume production with a phased-in selection of flavors and sizes, expanding only after our revised programs have demonstrated they are capable of ensuring product safety."
