After five cases of listeriosis, vegan oil mill Jay&Joy says safety is paramount

Jay and Joy explain. While five people, including four pregnant women who gave birth prematurely, developed serious cases of listeriosis after consuming the products of this oil mill, which has been based in Oise since 2020, the company responded this Saturday, January 21, with a press release . While offering “strong apologies to the victims and their families,” the management wanted to share some details about the origin of the infection. And above all, to reassure consumers.

According to the company, the cases listed “appear to be related to shipments from April 2022” and will involve Jill and Josephine, two cheese alternatives – vromage – goat and camembert, made from almond milk and cashew milk. “To date, all microbiological reports indicate the absence of Listeria in our products,” but defends the company, which admitted to finding the bacterium “on a baseboard on the ground in one of our manufacturing laboratories.”

“Measures to eradicate Listeria” adopted since April 2022

On January 14, the day the company said it had been made aware of Oise’s Department of Public Protection (DDPP) cases, sales of all of the brand’s products were halted for a period “which can range from two to three weeks,” a spokesperson for Jay & Joy. According to the authorities, the symptoms of the affected people appeared between April and December 2022. In fact, it is Listeria or even Jay & Joy products, ”the spokesman maintains.

The company also recalls that “listeria eradication measures” were taken in April 2022, after the return of a distributor who noted an abnormally high level of bacteria on the product. “On Friday, January 20, 2023, it was agreed with the prefectural authorities to continue to roll out these measures and strengthen them,” the company clarifies.

“Our products are tested weekly at several stages of production (semi-finished product and finished product) by two different laboratories. Each production batch is subjected to five analyzes. From November 2022, these results are sent weekly to UAZ DDPP,” the press release explains.

In 2021, 600,000 vromages were sold.

In the coming days, the company also plans to conduct a series of additional tests “to ensure safety.” (non-toxic) » products by looking at all stages before their consumption: production, logistical storage, storage at the end consumer, and finally the state at the end of the DLC. “Since the first warnings, we have reviewed the use of some materials, the flooring materials of our manufacturing units, and eliminated what could be causing the problem,” explains Jay & Joy, referring to the modification of “enzymatic product cleaners to prevent biofilm formation and suppress listeria.”

In the lab where traces of listeriosis were found, a spokesman points out that “all skirting boards have been replaced with tar.” And the company points out in its press release that it has stepped up “learning personnel and have begun recruiting new quality specialists within the company, strengthening our support with certified and recognized laboratories.”

And in conclusion: “Food safety is our priority, as well as promoting better nutrition through vegan and organic products.” In 2021, Jay & Joy sold 600,000 of their “romances” in 2,000 outlets.