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 of the $850,000 fine, 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.
Click here to read more about Blue Bell’s fine over listeria contamination last year that was linked to the death of three people.
