topic Re: Blue Bell Returning in Community Chat

Blue Bell Returning

Kachina624 — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 05:39:39 GMT

I just picked up this news from a Texas newspaper regarding the return of Blue Bell Ice Cream. I'm so happy as I've not had a bite of ice cream since it left the marketplace. I'm sure others are too!

On Monday, the ice cream will return to El Paso, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee, as well as areas in Kentucky, New Mexico and Mississippi. Beginning Jan. 18, the company will begin phase five of re-entry into the market and will arrive in parts of Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Beginning the week of Jan. 25, the ice cream will return to Florida, parts of Georgia and the southern tip of South Carolina.

“Upon the completion of phase five, we will turn our attention to building inventory for the spring as well as adding additional products and flavors to our line-up.” Ricky Dickson, vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Bell said in a release. “Even though we do not have a specific date, we plan to expand our sales territory whenever we are properly positioned to do so.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

Sister Golden Hair — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 07:14:05 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I just picked up this news from a Texas newspaper regarding the return of Blue Bell Ice Cream. I'm so happy as I've not had a bite of ice cream since it left the marketplace. I'm sure others are too!

On Monday, the ice cream will return to El Paso, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee, as well as areas in Kentucky, New Mexico and Mississippi. Beginning Jan. 18, the company will begin phase five of re-entry into the market and will arrive in parts of Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Beginning the week of Jan. 25, the ice cream will return to Florida, parts of Georgia and the southern tip of South Carolina.
“Upon the completion of phase five, we will turn our attention to building inventory for the spring as well as adding additional products and flavors to our line-up.” Ricky Dickson, vice president of sales and marketing for Blue Bell said in a release. “Even though we do not have a specific date, we plan to expand our sales territory whenever we are properly positioned to do so.

@Kachina624 I just heard on the news tonight that traces of listeria has been found in one of their plants.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

Kachina624 — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 08:42:19 GMT

They said something to the effect that there could be Listeria lingering in parts of the plant but they are testing every batch of product and thus far found nothing. As closely as they and the product are being monitored, ill take my chances.

If there was danger, I doubt they'd be allowed to resume production.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

HiLo — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 10:19:31 GMT

I've never eaten this brand but have heard that my son in law loves it. I am curious to know what there is so special about this brand...it seems a tad expensive to this budget driven lady so maybe someone can give me a clue before I buy it; would appreciate..

Re: Blue Bell Returning

just bee — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 11:31:24 GMT

@HiLo wrote:
I've never eaten this brand but have heard that my son in law loves it. I am curious to know what there is so special about this brand...it seems a tad expensive to this budget driven lady so maybe someone can give me a clue before I buy it; would appreciate..

It breaks my heart to see this company face this issue. They produce a quality product that I never bought because there was always something cheaper available. But one day I bit. Blue Bell is worth the investment. They make a wonderful Homemade Vanilla that will enhance any slice of pie. This is a vanilla that needs no flavored syrup or accessories. It's just fine alone in a bowl. A good quality ice cream is a simple way to improve your life.

Sadly, listeria has been detected at a plant and there's a criminal investigation. I hope the company can survive this. If the ice cream comes back, I'll buy it. I've been craving the perfect root beer float.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

colliegirls — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 12:24:02 GMT

No, thank you. It is Breyers for us.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

jaxs mom — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 13:14:36 GMT

I had some about a week ago, it was good as usual

Re: Blue Bell Returning

LonestarBabs — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 13:31:00 GMT

The listeria was found in the Brenham plant, but was not found in a food prep area according to some reports I read.

We have resumed consumption - believe me, they are scrutinizing everything and I feel confident that the risk is minimal.

In fact, I just bought some Blue Bell last week! Here in Texas BB is an old friend and its creamy goodness is "comfort food."

Re: Blue Bell Returning

PINKdogWOOD — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 14:07:44 GMT

I've seen Blue Bell in stores here but I've never bought any of it. It seems to be a cheaper brand here. I go for Breyers most of the time. With all of their problems I'm leaving that brand on the shelf. I can't feel assured that it's ALL been cleaned up and made safe.

Look at Jenny's Ice cream - maybe this toois strictly a brand based here, I think it may be. Same problem, listeria. They' needed to shut down not once but very soon after they cleaned up everything, they got hit again. They said the second time was because of others who were supplying them with ingredients. Again they had to close, clean up everything again and are now open, selling, safe. I've never purchased Jenny's and won't.

What really bothers me about Blue Bell is the fact that they ALL knew the plant was diseased AND KEPT ON MAKING the product. Wrong ALL wrong.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

esmeraldagooch — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 14:24:51 GMT

@HiLo wrote:
I've never eaten this brand but have heard that my son in law loves it. I am curious to know what there is so special about this brand...it seems a tad expensive to this budget driven lady so maybe someone can give me a clue before I buy it; would appreciate..

Their cartons are a full half gallon. Most are not.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

sidsmom — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 14:30:20 GMT

"...risk is minimal"

"...take my chances"

I'm stunned with these responses.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

just bee — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 14:57:20 GMT

@sidsmom wrote:
"...risk is minimal"
"...take my chances"

I'm stunned with these responses.

You haven't tried their Homemade Vanilla, have you?

What I really miss with this stoppage is that I no longer have access to the big bags of small, single-serving containers that I would grab and bring to work. The perfect thing when there was a potluck. I could pick up bags of vanilla or Dutch Chocolate, or get the bags that were half vanilla, half chocolate. Really the perfect little treat.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

NickNack — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 15:31:07 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
I've seen Blue Bell in stores here but I've never bought any of it. It seems to be a cheaper brand here. I go for Breyers most of the time. With all of their problems I'm leaving that brand on the shelf. I can't feel assured that it's ALL been cleaned up and made safe.

Look at Jenny's Ice cream - maybe this toois strictly a brand based here, I think it may be. Same problem, listeria. They' needed to shut down not once but very soon after they cleaned up everything, they got hit again. They said the second time was because of others who were supplying them with ingredients. Again they had to close, clean up everything again and are now open, selling, safe. I've never purchased Jenny's and won't.

What really bothers me about Blue Bell is the fact that they ALL knew the plant was diseased AND KEPT ON MAKING the product. Wrong ALL wrong.

@PINKdogWOOD I think you're possibly thinking of Blue Bunny ice cream that's cheaper. When I first heard about Blue Bell, I thought the person meant Blue Bunny. Blue Bell is more expensive than many ice creams.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

just bee — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 16:12:03 GMT

Yes, big difference. Look for the cow, not the rabbit.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

CAMOGIRL — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 16:18:37 GMT

People to me seem kinda strange sometimes . There are people that seem to think there is no other ice cream out there except Blue Bell! My husband being from Texas is like a Blue Bell freak - just like soo may other people here. It was like OH. MY GOD - NO BLUE BELL!!! I was like, "seriously...???".

I am am not touching that stuff with a ten foot pole!! That company seems to have some real issues with having a clean environment for food processing. They are just dragging their feet and not taking this thing seriously. All they really cared about was putting their precious ice cream back on the shelves for their loyal customers. EWWW. And, EWWW again!!

Re: Blue Bell Returning

missy1 — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 16:55:45 GMT

@just bee Thanks for the clarification. I got them mixed up, too.

I actually prefer the store brands.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

just bee — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 17:04:04 GMT

I'm a big fan of peanut butter and Skippy is my brand of choice. Several years ago I thought I would try to support local companies and bought an organic New Mexico product. There was a similar issue in their facility (salmonella) and the company never recovered. It's tragic when people become ill and some die after consuming a trusted product, and it's also tragic when a business closes in an area where people depend on it for their livelihood.

Food preparation is a science. It always amazes me that we don't hear more of these stories. Think how many lettuces, berries and melons you've consumed without getting sick. But there's always a risk.

Sunland did not survive, but a California company (Ready Roast Nut Company) has reopened the facility and I wish the community well.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

just bee — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 17:08:11 GMT

@missy1 wrote:
@just bee Thanks for the clarification. I got them mixed up, too.

I actually prefer the store brands.

We are fortunate to live at a time when we have these dessert choices. Like gelato. Oh... my... goodness.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

sidsmom — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 18:01:33 GMT

@just bee wrote:
@sidsmom wrote:
"...risk is minimal"
"...take my chances"

I'm stunned with these responses.
You haven't tried their Homemade Vanilla, have you?

@just bee

Nope, I don't eat cow juice.

I was stunned in the fact someone would eat something that could cause serious damage to one's body. The food item could still have dangerous food properties. Ask those same people to eat a bag of 'possible eColi spinach'....and I would guarantee their answer would be different...much, much different than with ice cream.

Re: Blue Bell Returning

FLgardener — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 19:31:43 GMT

I hope Blue Bell makes a successful comeback. It is good ice cream. I hope it still comes in a full half gallon. I prefer to buy a half gallon.

We have been eating Publix frozen yogurt, which is quite good.

I know that Breyer's still makes some ice cream, but one must read the label carefully. Most of their stuff doesn't even qualify as ice cream. I made the mistake of picking some up on sale, got it home and saw that it was "frozen dessert". It was awful.