Jeni’s Ice Cream – Handling Bad PR Right the First Time

by | May 7, 2015 | Ice Cream Consulting

 

Jeni’s product recall

Read the compamy statement on the front page of Jeni’s web site https://jenis.com/.

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. — jeni

Here is a continuation of the recall statement on their site. https://jenis.com/recall/.

We are destroying more than 535,000 pounds (265 tons) of ice cream. That is 15 semi-truck loads or more than 300 pallets. We estimate that this recall will cost the company more than $2.5 million. The vast majority of the ice cream, if not all, will be taken to an anaerobic digester that will convert the dairy into electricity and a clean, natural soil fertilizer.

My opinion

Their situation is bad, but compared to the way Blue Bell initially announced and handled the problem, in my opinion, Jeni’s will recover from this situation exceedingly better than Blue Bell from both the consumer and business community. Jeni’s is one/eighth the size of Blue Bell in revenue and yet responded in a way that clearly demonstrates that they are the “bigger” organization. Jeni’s was responsible as a company to quickly say they had a problem, apologized and taking action.

Jeni’s is an example of a healthy and apparently well managed company. Yes they have a product safety issue, but acknowledging it to the public and taking responsible action to resolve it, is not only smart, but key to getting their customers back.

As a consumer, I would be more inclined to purchase Jeni’s product than Blue Bell. Why, because in the way they addressed a bad situation. Both had a product safety issue, Jeni’s responded where Blue Bell reacted.

 

Contact Darryl, he can work with you on good manufacturing and sanitation practices, it’s more than simply washing your hands.

Darryl David
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