Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams recalled all of their products last month after Listeria monocytogenes bacteria was found in the ice cream made in their Nebraska plant. More than 265 tons of ice cream was destroyed. They shut down production and cleaned the facility, then reopened.
But testing found more of the pathogenic bacteria in the Columbus,Ohio kitchen. Routine swabbing discovered the problem. Production has been halted again as the company investigates.
All of their ice cream is now subject to test-and-hold before it enters into commerce. The company is temporarily closing its scoop shops because they don’t have enough ice cream.
FDA inspectors looked at the Ohio facility eight times in April and found cleanliness problems and inadequate pathogen controls. The report states that employees were careless with food safety procedures, putting aprons and chef coats on the floor and overfilling containers. Dust and dirt were found on hoods above mixing kettles, and plastic was protruding from grates near the prep mix tables.
No illnesses have been linked to the problems with Jeni’s ice cream, unlike the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Blue Bell Creameries. The Blue Bell outbreak has sickened at least 10 people and killed three; it was declared over by the CDC last week.
