Watch CBS News

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams In Los Feliz Temporarily Closed Due To Listeria Concern

LOS FELIZ (CBSLA/AP) — A Los Feliz ice cream shop was temporarily closed Friday after the company was the second ice cream store to recall all of its products after health officials found listeria in a sample of its frozen treats.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams announced on its website Thursday that it recalled its frozen products after the listeria discovery. The action follows a similar recall by Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries Monday. Blue Bell's ice cream was linked to 10 listeria illnesses in four states, including three deaths, and listeria was found in several of the company's products.

"We received the call that no ice cream maker, chef, or entrepreneur wants. A randomly selected pint of ours tested positive for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Out of an abundance of caution, we made the swift decision to cease all ice cream production and sales until we can get to the very root of the problem. We are enlisting the help of experts so we can identify the cause, eliminate it, and return as quickly as possible to the business of making ice cream," the company said.

Jeni's, which is based out of Ohio, recently opened its only West Coast scoop shop on the corner of Hillhurst and Clarissa avenues.

"We have initiated a voluntary recall of our ice creams, frozen yogurts, sorbets, and ice cream sandwiches because of a possible health risk," the local company said on its Facebook page. "We are unaware of any illness reports, but are taking this precautionary measure in order to ensure complete consumer safety."

This week's recalls are uncommon because listeria isn't usually found in ice cream, since the bacteria can't grow at freezing temperatures.

A spokesman for the Food and Drug Administration said the agency has no evidence, for now, that the listeria found in Jeni's ice cream and the listeria found in Blue Bell ice cream are connected.

"At this time, the FDA does not believe that the finding of listeria in one sample of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is related to the outbreak and recall associated with Blue Bell Ice Cream," said spokesman Jeff Ventura. "We are continuing to investigate both situations and will provide updated information to consumers as we learn more."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there are no known illnesses linked to Jeni's products. In an online statement, Jeni's said it is issuing a recall and closing retail stores until its products are "ensured to be 100 percent safe."

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture found the listeria in a sample of Jeni's ice cream it had randomly collected at a Whole Foods in Lincoln, Nebraska.

"We will be working with our suppliers to determine if the bacteria was introduced by one of the ingredients we use," said John Lowe, the company's CEO. "We will not reopen the kitchen until we can ensure the safety of our customers."

Jeni's said the recalled ice cream was distributed in the United States to retail outlets, including food service and grocery stores, as well as online at jenis.com. The recall includes all products bearing the brand name "Jeni's."

Also Thursday, Blue Bell Creameries said it will close its facilities in Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama for intensive cleaning. The creameries will be closed next week and possibly into the following week.

The FDA said it still has open investigations in all three plants and will evaluate Blue Bell's progress in removing listeria from the plant and its products.

Blue Bell did produce some ice cream in its plants this week, but that product will be used for testing and data gathering and won't be sold to the public, the company said.

Listeria generally only affects the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and their newborn infants. It can cause fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms. The worst cases are fatal.

The bacteria is found in soil and water that can be tracked into a facility or carried by animals. It can be very difficult to get rid of once it contaminates a processing facility, partly because it grows well in refrigeration. It is commonly found in processed meats, unpasteurized cheeses and unpasteurized milk, and it is sometimes found in other foods as well — listeria in cantaloupes was linked to 30 deaths in a 2011 outbreak.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.