A major blueberry recall has been issued due to possible deadly contamination. The FDA is warning people to check their fridges and freezers immediately.
The recall involves 400 boxes of organic blueberries, each weighing 30 pounds. They were shipped to a single customer in North Carolina, but it hasn’t been made public if that was a store, restaurant, or something else.
Alma Pak International LLC recalled the shipment on June 9. Tests showed the blueberries contained listeria monocytogenes. Listeria can cause serious illness if consumed. The bacteria was found during routine checks, and the recall has now been classified as Class I.
The FDA said a Class I recall is “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
The affected blueberries can be identified by these lot numbers: 13325 G1060 and 13325 G 1096. If you see either of those, don’t eat them.
The CDC says listeria is “a bacteria that can contaminate many foods.” They explained it can “cause an invasive illness and intestinal illness” if someone eats contaminated food.
The recall is being taken seriously because listeria can be especially dangerous to pregnant people, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems. No illnesses have been reported yet, but the warning is urgent.
What foods are linked to listeriosis?
Health officials in the UK say listeria bacteria can lead to a serious illness called listeriosis. The NHS lists the highest risk foods as:
cold, cooked sliced meats and cured meats
smoked and cured fish – including in sushi
cooked shellfish
soft mould-ripened cheeses (such as camembert and brie) and blue-veined cheeses
pâté
pre-prepared sandwiches and salads
pre-cut fruit (such as pre-packed melon slices)
unpasteurised milk
dairy products made from unpasteurised milk
Every year, about 260 people die from infections associated to listeria.