Blueberry Recall Alert: FDA Issues Class I Risk Warning Over Listeria Contamination
A recall has been issued for hundreds of boxes of organic blueberries due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the recall as a Class I risk, the agency’s most serious warning level, signaling a potential threat of severe illness or death.
What Happened
On June 9, Alma Pak International LLC—a Georgia-based company—voluntarily recalled 400 boxes of its organic blueberries after routine testing revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. On July 1, the FDA escalated the recall to Class I status.
Each affected box weighs 30 lbs and was shipped to a single customer in North Carolina. The impacted blueberries can be identified by Lot numbers 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096.
Why It Matters
According to the FDA, a Class I recall involves “a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous pathogen, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of Listeria Infection
- Mild to moderate: Fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and diarrhea
- Severe cases: Headache, stiff neck, confusion, convulsions, and loss of balance
- In pregnant individuals: Miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns
Expert Insight
Dr. Haley F. Oliver, professor of food science at Purdue University, explains that Listeria is commonly found in soil and can survive in cold environments. “Most infections occur in immunocompromised individuals who consume contaminated food,” she told Newsweek.
Dr. Mary O’Riordan from the University of Michigan adds, “Listeria’s ability to grow in refrigerated conditions makes it particularly dangerous. Symptoms can mirror other foodborne illnesses, making diagnosis difficult unless it progresses to more serious complications like meningitis.”
What To Do Now
- Check your pantry or commercial inventory for affected lot numbers.
- Do not consume the product if found.
- Dispose of it safely or return it according to store/company instructions.
- Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with listeriosis should seek medical care immediately.
The FDA lists the recall as ongoing and continues to monitor the situation. Newsweek has contacted Alma Pak International LLC for comment.
