In typical lawyer fashion, the answer is “it depends.” The consequences for a company involved in a foodborne illness outbreak can vary significantly based on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
If a company demonstrates negligence — such as failing to follow proper food safety protocols — it risks being named
Continue Reading The Litigated Dish: What is the worst case scenario for a company involved in a foodborne illness outbreak?
By Darin Detwiler
In reflecting on the evolution of food safety over the past three decades, we observe a landscape marked by significant and escalating legal actions against companies responsible for outbreaks and violations. The effectiveness of these penalties, especially monetary fines, in preventing future lapses in food safety, merits
Continue Reading Anticipating the inevitable: Predicting the next major food safety failure
For 890 days while the government prosecuted retired Blue Bell executive Paul Kruse, that European river cruise or summer in Tuscany wasn’t an option. This week, his U.S. Passport was returned to Kruse, marking the culmination of his plea agreement ending the government’s case against him.
It is also the
Continue Reading Plea agreement brings closure to Blue Bell’s last case involving the 2015 listeriosis outbreak
The Final Docket Call for the second criminal trial of Paul Kruse, the retired Blue Bell Creameries president, is set for March 31 in Austin’s Western District Court.
Federal Judge Robert Pitman signed an order that requires the 68-year-old Kruse to be present for the proceeding along with his defense
Continue Reading Austin judge issues Final Docket Call for second criminal trial of retired Blue Bell exec
Another West Texas jury will be called next April for a second criminal trial of Paul Kruse, the retired Blue Bell Creamery president from Brenham, TX.
The first jury, empaneled Aug. 1 this year, was not able to reach a unanimous agreement, ending in a mistrial after it broke 10-to-2
Continue Reading New trial set for former chief of Blue Bell after first concluded with a hung jury
— ANALYSIS —
Today the U.S. Court for the Western District of Texas is giving its first attention since Aug. 15 to the criminal case involving former Blue Bell chief Paul Kruse.
“The court hereby sets and directs the parties, or counsel acting on their behalf, to appear by phone
Continue Reading Court action in case against former Blue Bell chief continues despite hung jury
Federal Judge Robert Pitman, who presided over the 15-day mistrial of Blue Bell’s former president, has ruled in another case involving the Brenham, TX-based creamery.
From his Western District of Texas federal court bench, Pitman granted the motion for a summary judgment favoring two insurance companies over Blue Bell Creameries
Continue Reading Blue Bell’s insurance carriers do not have to pay for the 2015 Listeria outbreak damages
AUSTIN — When the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) first learned South Carolina found Listeria in two Blue Bell ice cream products, it suggested the company prepare a recall notice.
But in testimony on the fourth day of the jury trial for former Blue Bell president Paul
Continue Reading Texas DSHS first wanted Blue Bell to recall ice cream related to infections
AUSTIN — It was a long but primarily quiet Monday as a 12-man, four-woman jury was selected to hear the United States v. Paul Krause.
Kruse is the retired president of Blue Bell Creameries who, as an individual, faces federal felony conspiracy and fraud charges over how he handled Blue
Continue Reading Jury picked for trial of former Blue Bell president; opening arguments today
When a federal criminal trial is less than 60 days from jury selection, that’s usually when the pretrial stage heats up. But in the criminal case of United States of America v. Paul Kruse, pretrial, so far, is all cool.
The fact is that neither the prosecutors nor the defense
Continue Reading Preparations underway for Blue Bell trial