By Jesse Newman
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, a boutique frozen-desserts brand, is
closing its shops and pulling all its products from grocery stores
because of possible listeria contamination, the second time this
week that a U.S. ice-cream maker has recalled its desserts because
of the potentially deadly bacteria.
Jeni's said it initiated a voluntary recall after listeria was
discovered in a sample randomly collected by the Nebraska
Department of Agriculture. The Columbus, Ohio, company, which
operates shops in at least seven states and sells ice cream at
Whole Foods Market Inc. and other retailers around the country,
said it is not aware of any illnesses related to its products but
wants to ensure 100% safety before resuming sales.
"Our top priority is guaranteeing the safety of all consumers by
taking every possible precaution," John Lowe, Jeni's chief
executive officer, said Thursday.
Jeni's, founded by Jeni Britton Bauer in 2002, said it uses milk
from grass-fed cows located within 200 miles of its Ohio
kitchen.
The move comes after a much-larger ice cream maker, Blue Bell
Creameries LP, pulled its products from stores after the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked its ice cream to
a listeria outbreak that has resulted in three deaths and
additional illnesses. The family-owned Texas company says it is the
third-largest U.S. ice-cream brand by sales.
Listeria is a virulent pathogen that thrives in cool, wet
environments, and has previously prompted food companies to shut
plants entirely since it is difficult to eradicate even through
thorough plant cleanings. The pathogen typically doesn't cause
serious illnesses in healthy people but poses a threat to pregnant
women, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune
systems.
Write to Jesse Newman at jesse.newman@wsj.com
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