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BRENHAM, Texas (AP) — Blue Bell Creameries says it will be at least several months before its products are back in stores as the Texas-based company works to resume operations after a series of listeria illnesses linked to its ice cream prompted a total product recall.
Blue Bell CEO and President Paul Kruse said Thursday that ongoing cleaning and sanitizing of its four productions facilities in Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama, along with new training for employees, will take longer than initially anticipated.
Kruse says Blue Bell is committed to a process ensuring "the highest quality and safety of our products for our customers."
Earlier Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration released inspection reports showing Blue Bell had evidence of listeria bacteria in its Oklahoma plant as far back as March 2013.
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