Vons Reopens Dairy After 2nd Milk Recall in Month

Vons Cos. reopened its South Los Angeles dairy Thursday, two weeks after shutting it down to determine why it was producing milk with an odd flavor and odor.

The company, which makes Jerseymaid and Westwood brands of milk, will speed up its pasteurization process to avoid the problem that led to a voluntary milk recall from Vons’ 328 stores. The recall was the second in a month.

Jan Wessell, spokeswoman for the state Department of Food and Agriculture, said Friday that the milk didn’t pose a health hazard. Wessell said state inspectors have instructed Vons to shorten the time the milk sits before being pasteurized.

A previous, unrelated batch of bad milk had caused about 100 people to become ill with diarrhea and nausea. State officials blamed a malfunctioning cleaning system at the same plant, but Vons officials said they haven’t determined a cause.