After several “ice cream licking” videos went viral and were met with horror by millions of people, some stores are taking drastic measures.
A teenager was seen licking a container of Blue Bell ice cream at a Walmart near San Antonio, Texas, before police located her. A man in Louisiana was arrested after doing the same to a Blue Bell tub.
According to Mashable, citing several social media photos shot around the United States, some stores are taking extra measures to protect ice cream from potential tampering.
Those measures include displaying warning signs, security, a lock on the freezer door, and a button to call for an employee.
Another photo with a profane comment showed a lock around the freezer door with a sign that read, “Please see an employee for help.”
Blue Bell Considers Change
Blue Bell, earlier this month, said that it is looking into placing more protection on ice cream, including a plastic wrapper.
“We are always looking for ways to improve, including looking at methods within our manufacturing process to add additional protection to the carton,” a Blue Bell spokesperson told the Houston Chronicle.
Blue Bell’s website says that half-gallon containers are flipped upside down before they are sent to a hardening room that freezes the ice cream, which results in a natural seal around the top, the Chronicle said.
Arrested Man Speaks Out
A man who filmed himself licking a tub of Blue Bell ice cream before putting it back in a viral video has spoken out.
Lenise Martin III told WVLA that it was a joke and a misunderstanding.
“It was a joke with no criminal intent or activity … but I was locked up with murderers and real criminals on maxim security,” said Martin in an interview with the news outlet, which showed him smiling and holding the ice cream.
The local news report didn’t offer any further details about the incident, but based on his statement and the station’s photo, it appears he bailed out of jail after his arrest.
Martin, described as a “copycat” by police, was arrested by the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office on July 6, reported WAFB.
Investigators said that management asked Martin to return to the store when they became aware of the clip, according to the report.
Teen Identified
Police in East Texas said that a teenager from San Antonio was identified as the suspect who took a container of Blue Bell ice cream, licked it, put the lid back on, and then placed it back in the shelf at an area Walmart.
A video of the incident has gone viral, drawing horror from people on social media.
In this April 10, 2015, file photo, Blue Bell ice cream rests on a grocery store shelf in Lawrence, Kan. Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries issued a voluntary recall Monday, April 20, 2015, for all of its products on the market after two samples of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream tested positive for listeriosis. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
“You foul,” says a voice off-camera in the clip.
CBS News reported that detectives have spoken with the suspect.
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
