Listeria Likely From Oklahoma Plant

Over the weekend, Texans were informed by the media that the listeria outbreak which sidelined Blue Bell ice cream for months likely came from a drainage system in a plant in Oklahoma according to a report filed with FDA investigators.

You can read all about the report here.

Anyone who's been following the in-depth reporting of the Houston Chronicle on this has seen a company swamped by success,  afraid or physically unable to take a moment's rest.  There was one machine reported to be online 24-7 for years, with plant management afraid to take it off-line for maintenance lest they become unable to meet product demand. We see this mentality too often, from a lowly retail shop manager who's afraid to contact his bosses, all the way to company presidents who don't want to upset shareholders: Full speed ahead, consequences be damned.  In this instance, the whole company came crashing down.

As much as we want our Texas companies to succeed, we don't want anything to hurt our fellow Texans.  Let's be responsible.