The Ice Cream Caper: Ice Cream, Dye Spill Prompts Citations for Madison Distributor

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – A local ice cream distributor has been cited for allowing ice cream and dye to spill out onto the sidewalk and into storm drains. 

Staff from Public Health Madison Dane County said when staff went to an ice cream shop for an inspection last year, they saw purple liquid leaking out of the building and onto the sidewalk. The storm sewer was filled with it. 

Then when they returned two days later, they found blue liquid leaking out from the building and onto the sidewalk. 

City attorney Michael Haas confirmed to the Wisconsin State Journal it was Schoep’s Ice Cream over on Division Street. Civic Media reached out to Haas, but didn’t hear back before publication.

Health department staff had to call the city engineering department to clean up the melted ice cream and ingredients. Health officials referred the matter to the city attorney’s office. 

Haas told the paper Schoep’s has had 5 citations in the last 3 years totaling $5,000. Haas said they’re working together to fix the problem, or Schoep’s could face prosecution.