Sid Bass rescues Blue Bell

If you are among those who wondered how Blue Bell ice cream might survive its recent recall, look no further.

On Tuesday, the struggling company announced that Fort Worth billionaire Sid Bass has become a “significant” investor.

The company has been hemorrhaging money since this spring, when it was forced to temporarily halt production after a routine inspection found listeria — a harmful bacteria that can be particularly dangerous to the ill, pregnant and elderly — in some of its products. Further investigation linked at least 10 cases of listeria, three of which resulted in death, to Blue Bell ice cream.

It has yet to be determined whether Blue Bell Creameries will face federal civil or criminal penalties.

Either way, the cash infusion from Bass is certainly what the company needs now. It will help float the business, allow it to retain some employees and keep the doors open until it can clean up its act — literally.

In addition to making ice cream again, Blue Bell will need to remake its image and regain the public trust. Sid Bass’ intervention should allow the company to do exactly that.

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 5:49 PM with the headline "Sid Bass rescues Blue Bell."