A major recall has been issued for blueberries after the FDA found they could cause serious illness or even death. Alma Pak International LLC recalled 400 boxes of organic blueberries, each weighing 30 pounds, after routine tests detected listeria monocytogenes. The shipment went to a single customer in North Carolina, but it’s not clear if it was a store, restaurant, or another business.
The FDA has classified this as a Class I recall, the most urgent level, because of the high risk to health. The affected blueberries are marked with lot numbers 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096. Listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate many foods and cause listeriosis, a potentially life-threatening illness.
The CDC says listeria is the third leading cause of foodborne deaths in the US, with about 260 deaths each year. Foods most likely to carry listeria include cold meats, smoked fish, shellfish, soft cheeses, pâté, pre-made salads, pre-cut fruit, and unpasteurized dairy products.
Symptoms of listeriosis can be mild, such as fever, aches, chills, nausea, and diarrhea, but the illness can be much more severe for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. In recent years, foodborne illnesses have led to more hospitalizations and deaths, with nearly 1,400 illnesses and 19 deaths linked to recalls last year alone.
If you have blueberries with the recalled lot numbers, do not eat them. Return them or throw them away to avoid any risk.