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Blue Bell CEO Ricky Dickson to step down after 43 years; Search underway for new head of company
Read full article: Blue Bell CEO Ricky Dickson to step down after 43 years; Search underway for new head of companyRicky Dickson, CEO of Blue Bell Creameries, has announced his retirement after serving 43 years with the ice cream company.
Government dismisses all fraud charges against former Blue Bell Creameries CEO
Read full article: Government dismisses all fraud charges against former Blue Bell Creameries CEOThe United States government agreed on Wednesday to dismiss all fraud charges against former Blue Bell CEO Paul Kruse, with parties agreeing to a misdemeanor fine instead.
Ex-Blue Bell Creameries CEO charged in deadly listeria case
Read full article: Ex-Blue Bell Creameries CEO charged in deadly listeria caseA federal grand jury in Austin returned a seven-count indictment Tuesday charging Paul Kruse with six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to a Justice Department statement. Health officials notified Blue Bell in February 2015 that two ice cream products from the company’s flagship factory in the central Texas city of Brenham and its Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, plant tested positive for listeria. Blue Bell recalled products after its ice cream was linked to 10 listeria cases in four states, including three deaths in Kansas. Prosecutors allege that Kruse schemed to deceive Blue Bell customers by directing employees to remove potentially contaminated products from store freezers without alerting grocers and consumers as to why. Kruse was initially charged May 1, the same day that Blue Bell Creameries pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing contaminated goods.
Made in Texas: How Blue Bell went from making butter for locals to becoming one of the country’s top ice cream brands
Read full article: Made in Texas: How Blue Bell went from making butter for locals to becoming one of the country’s top ice cream brandsToday, we’re featuring the iconic Texas-born ice cream company who some say makes the “best ice cream in the country” — Blue Bell Creameries. Ice cream flavors include 25 classic year-round options like homemade vanilla, cookies ’n cream and moo-llenium crunch. It wasn’t until the 1980s when Blue Bell ice cream was available in stores outside of Texas. However, the company says it was quick to claim a spot as one of the country’s go-to ice cream brands. What’s your favorite Blue Bell ice cream flavor?
Blue Bell ordered to pay $17.25M in penalties linked to deadly listeria outbreak
Read full article: Blue Bell ordered to pay $17.25M in penalties linked to deadly listeria outbreakHOUSTON – A federal court in Texas sentenced Brenham-based Blue Bell Creameries L.P. to pay $17.25 million in criminal penalties for shipments of contaminated products linked to a 2015 listeria outbreak, the Justice Department announced Thursday. Blue Bell pleaded guilty in May 2020 to two misdemeanor counts of distributing adulterated ice cream products. Two weeks after receiving notification of the first positive listeria tests, Texas state officials informed Blue Bell that additional state-led testing confirmed Listeria in a third product. Blue Bell again chose not to issue any formal notification to customers regarding the positive tests. Food safety is our highest priority, and we know we must continue to be vigilant every day.
‘One Tank Trips’: 23 ideas to help you play, eat and stay in Brenham, Texas
Read full article: ‘One Tank Trips’: 23 ideas to help you play, eat and stay in Brenham, TexasOur ongoing series “One Tank Trips,” helps you discover what to do, where to eat and stay in these places. Distance from downtown Houston: 75 milesOnly around an hour and 15 minutes from downtown Houston is the quaint town of Brenham. Located between Houston and Austin, the town is most famously known as the home of Blue Bell ice cream and a great spot to see bluebonnets. The local ice cream has been a Brenham staple since its opening in 1907. Creamery visitors can learn about the ice cream making process at the observation deck, stop in the visitors center, shop in the country store and of course get some of the famous ice cream at the ice cream parlor.