usnews : Texas hands Blue Bell potential $850K fine over listeria

Texas hands Blue Bell potential $850K fine over listeria

By PAUL J. WEBER, Associated PressAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas fined Blue Bell Creameries for a listeria contamination last year linked to the deaths of three people, but the ice cream maker could end up paying only a fraction of the $850,000 penalty under an agreement announced Friday.Blue Bell halted sales and issued a voluntarily recall in 2015 due to bacteria contamination that was linked 10 listeria cases in four states, drawing regulatory scrutiny from federal and state officials.The Texas company is required to immediately pay the state $175,000, but the rest will be forgiven under the terms of the agreement if Blue Bell complies with food safeguards and reporting requirements for 18 months.

Texas health officials fine Blue Bell $850,000 following Listeria outbreak

Blue Bell Creameries has been fined $850,000 by Texas health officials as a penalty for a Listeria outbreak, announced last year, that sickened 10 people and lead to a total shut down of company operations.But the company may only end up paying a fraction of that amount.Under an enforcement agreement announced Friday between Brenham-based Blue Bell and the Texas Department of State Health Services, $175,000 must be paid within 30 days.

Texas hands Blue Bell potential $850K fine over listeria

Texas has fined Blue Bell Creameries for a listeria contamination last year that was linked to the death of three people, but the ice cream maker could wind up paying just a fraction of the $850,000 penalty.The agreement announced Friday requires Blue Bell to pay the state $175,000 over the outbreak that triggered a national recall.Contaminated Blue Bell ice cream was linked to 10 listeria cases in four states.