Kruse was the third generation of his family to head Blue Bell. He was preceded by E.F, Kruse who took the reins in 1919. He died in 1951 and was followed by his sons, Ed and Howard Kruse.
It was on Paul Kruse’s watch, however, that Blue Bell faced the biggest crisis in the company’s 115 year history. A 2015 listeriosis outbreak shut-down Blue Bell’s production and required a recall of all its product from the market place. And a near 5-year criminal investigation led to Kruse being charged with seven felonies associated with the outbreak.
Ten people with listeriosis were associated with the outbreak from four states: Arizona (1), Kansas (5), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (3). Kansas reported three deaths. All of the other patients required hospital care.
Kruse is the only individual facing criminal charges as a result of the 2015 outbreak.
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