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Government: Food Companies Risk Prosecution For Outbreaks

A deadly outbreak of Listeria in ice cream spurred the U.S. Justice Department to issue a stern warning that the agency will pursue criminal and civil penalties against food companies that inadvertently poison customers.

Texas-based Blue Bell creamery recalled all of its products in April and shut down production after inspectors noted multiple food safety violations, including leaks and a lack of basic hand washing hygiene. Inspection reports indicated that the company had been warned about violations as far back as 2011.

The Centers for Disease Control says three people in Kansas died last year and at least 10 more were sick from Blue Bell products contaminated with Listeria.

A federal court in Georgia last year found an executive of Peanut Corporation of America guilty of multiple charges for a 2008 and 2009 outbreak of salmonella from peanut butter linked to nine deaths.

The Justice Department has not indicated whether it would pursue charges against Blue Bell.

Blue Bell announced last week that the company secured an investment from Texas billionaire Sid Bass to help the company recover from its financial crisis.

Read More:



  • Justice Department Warns Food Companies: Poison Customers, Risk Prosecution (Associated Press)
  • Ice Cream Maker Blue Bell Receives Investment From Texas Billionaire Sid Bass (Wall Street Journal)
  • Blue Bell Creameries 2015 Back After Listeria Outbreak – This Is How Ice Creamers Plans To Regain Trust (Food World News)


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