Blue Bell Creameries slapped with $17M fine for listeria outbreak

A fine of USD 17.25mn has been imposed upon Ice Cream maker Blue Bell Creameries for being the cause behind a major listeria outbreak back in the year 2015.

The penalty, which was issued by a Texas fed court judge, is the biggest criminal fine ever for any food safety court case, said the DOJ (Department of Justice) on Thursday while announcing the fine.

As per Jeffrey Bossert Clark, acting Assistant Attorney General of the civil division of DOJ, the American customers should trust that foods they buy are safe to consume. The fine sends out a clear cut message to the food makers that the DOJ will take proper steps when contaminated food items endanger the consumers.

In the month of May, the Texas-based firm had pleaded guilty for two misdemeanor charges of circulating adulterated ice cream items.

Paul Kruse, the former president of Blue Bell, has been charged with 7 felony counts previously for alleged attempts of concealing contamination from consumers.

As per the agency, Blue Bell has taken vital steps to enhance its sanitation procedure ever since.

The fine imposed now closes a challenging chapter in the history of Blue Bell, said the company officials through a statement on Thursday.

For more business related articles, do check out sportsgrindentertainment.