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Source: Maren Caruso / Getty

More info is being revealed about the listeria concerns with Jeni’s ice cream. See a report below via Fox 28 for the latest…

New reports released by the FDA outline several problems they found at the production plant for Jeni’s ice cream after listeria contamination, including a failure to maintain buildings in a sanitary condition, not storing raw materials in a manner that protects against contamination, and no effective measures to keep pests out of processing areas.

The report outlines observations by FDA representatives during an inspection at the facility near Victorian Village, which spanned ten days last month.

Investigators say the Regulatory Manager and Director of Operations had a lack of competency when it came to good manufacturing policies. Among several specific notes, they said neither were even aware that employees on a PM shift weren’t sanitizing food contact surfaces on the inside of batch freezers, which is required by Jeni’s.

Other observations include there was no environmental monitoring and testing program or a finished product testing program at the plant. Investigators say management told them no sanitizer or disinfectant is applied to the floors in the plant. They also say they noticed residue on the floor and different surfaces during the manufacturing process when they were at the plant.

Investigators also say they observed “rodent excreta pellets” in several areas of the plant, and a “live rodent on a glue trap next to the cleaning supply room door in the storage area.”

Other concerning observations included towels used as sanitizing wipes on utensils like thermometers and workers weren’t wearing suitable garments to protect against contamination.

In a response via email about the report, Jeni’s CEO John Lowe said, “We have fixed every issue identified by the FDA. The FDA, like us, [is] looking with a more critical eye at the way we operated,” said Jeni’s CEO John Lowe.

He added, “We brought in outside experts to help us find other areas of improvement. We’ve instituted test and hold procedures to ensure we are only providing safe ice cream.”

The Ohio Department of Agriculture inspected the plant in February where investigators noted high counts of coliform bacteria, attributed to lack of sanitation. The most known type of coliform is E. coli, which can cause bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and occasionally a fever. The bacteria can also cause pneumonia, other respiratory illnesses, and urinary tract infections.

The agency recommended the cream pump to be washed daily and to sanitize welds in the pipes. State inspectors also noted high coliform counts twice in 2013.