Jeni's Ice Cream Recalled After Positive Listeria Test; What Is Bacteria & What Threats Could it Cause?

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Another ice cream company pulled out all of its frozen treats off the shelves because of listeria contamination.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams published a press release last Thursday announcing the voluntary recall of their products. The company will stop selling all their frozen treats until "all products are ensured to be 100 percent safe."

The recall was initiated after the Nebraska Department of Agriculture held an inspection where the Ohio-based company's products tested positive for listeria.

"If you test for it, you will find it," lawyer Bill Marler told ABC News. "I think that's what you're seeing. People assume that pasteurized milk products -- which ice cream is -- don't have to worry about pathogens. Food safety lawyer Marler is representing the family of Shirlee Frey, one of the suspected Blue Bell listeria victims who died last December.

"I think the situation is we've got companies not paying attention to basic microbiology as it relates to listeria in these plants."

The news about Jeni's Splendid recall came after Blue Bell Ice Cream's announcement of further recall of their products. Three people died and seven was hospitalized after allegedly eating Blue Bell Ice Cream.

"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," according to Jeff Ventura, FDA spokesman via Yahoo! News. "We are continuing to investigate both situations and will provide updated information to consumers as we learn more."

According to the released statement from Jeni's, they will be recalling all ice creams, frozen yogurts, sorbets, and ice cream sandwiches in retail outlets, grocery markets, and online.

What is listeria infection?

It is an illness caused by bacteria that can be acquired through eating contaminated food, according to Mayo Clinic. It is usually found in deli meats and unpasteurized milk products that were not processed properly. These tough bacteria can survive freezing and refrigeration.

The disease can be deadly to infants, pregnant women, and people who have weak immune systems.

What are its symptoms?

Initial signs and symptoms of listeria infection include muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, and fever. The symptoms have an incubation period of a few days to a few months.

When it spreads to the nervous system, the patient may experience headache, confusion, loss of balance, stiff neck, or convulsions.      

How is it treated?

Depending on the severity of the infection, serious infections can be treated with a round of antibiotics while those with mild infections may require no treatment.