The Risk of Listeria Is High If You Eat These Blueberries, According to the FDA. Here’s What You Need to Know About the Recent Recall.

Food recalls are a common occurrence in the U.S., with about 500 to 600 recalls happening every year. According to Food Safety Magazine, an analysis of data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that the number of food recalls in the U.S. increased by 20% from 2020 to 2023. While the number increased from 454 to 547, this remains a significant rise and can be concerning for consumers who want to keep themselves and their families safe.

The latest food recall involves 12,000 pounds of blueberries that have been recalled due to risks of Listeria. As of July 1, the FDA upgraded this recall to a Class I grade, which is the highest risk. According to the FDA website, 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 recalled blueberries were produced by Alma Pak International, based out of Alma, GA, and included 400 boxes of blueberries. Although an initial statement from Alma Pak International after the voluntary recall said that the affected product was fully recovered before reaching the retail market, the blueberries were shipped to one customer in North Carolina, according to the FDA.

According to the FDA and news reports, the recalled blueberries were shipped to a single customer in North Carolina and did not reach retail stores. However, reports have not been released about what type of customer the blueberries were shipped to. In this slideshow, we'll discuss everything you need to know about the recall and what to do if you've purchased recalled food items.

The recall includes 12,000 pounds of blueberries in 400 boxes from Alma Pak International, based out of Alma, GA. The initial recall was a voluntary recall from Alma Park International after a routine test identified the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Although the blueberries were only shipped to one customer in North Carolina, it's unclear whether this customer was a restaurant, store, or other business. The recalled blueberries have the following codes: 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096.

Due to the presence of Listeria, 12,000 blueberries were recalled. Listeria infection, or Listeriosis, is an illness caused by bacteria in food. If you eat food that's contaminated with this bacteria, it can cause a serious foodborne illness. This type of bacteria often spreads in food processing facilities and can be difficult to get rid of. Although Listeria can be present in a variety of foods, some foods are more likely to be contaminated, including:

• Soft cheeses
• Raw milk
• Deli meat
• Cold-smoked fish
• Sprouts
• Melons

On June 9, Alma Pak International issued a voluntary recall for the blueberries due to a positive result of Listeria in routine testing. However, on July 1, the FDA issued a Class I grade recall, which is the highest level of risk.

When someone eats food contaminated with Listeria, it can lead to numerous symptoms. Generally, Listeria infection can lead to an invasive illness or an intestinal illness. While the intestinal illness usually starts within 24 hours of eating contaminated food, invasive illness happens when the bacteria spread beyond the intestines, and symptoms usually begin within 2 weeks after eating the contaminated food.

The most common symptoms to look out for from intestinal illness caused by Listeria are diarrhea and vomiting. The symptoms of invasive illness include:

• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Seizures

If you know you ate food that was recalled due to Listeria or you notice these symptoms, it's important to talk to your doctor and monitor your symptoms, especially if you're at a greater risk of illness.

While any individual can get sick after eating food contaminated with Listeria, certain individuals are at greater risk, including:

• Pregnant women
• Newborns
• Adults 65 and older
• Individuals with weakened immune systems

It's rare for individuals who aren't at risk to get severely ill after eating food that's contaminated with Listeria. However, it can cause serious complications for individuals who are at an increased risk of infection.

One of the main reasons why it's recommended for pregnant women to avoid certain foods is because of the risk of Listeria infection. Typically, doctors recommend pregnant women avoid foods like unpasteurized milk products, prepared salads, and deli meat because these types of foods are more likely to contain the bacteria.

Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get sick from Listeria bacteria, according to the FDA. This type of infection can lead to serious complications, such as premature labor or miscarriage. For late-term babies, it can lead to health issues such as paralysis or impairments of the brain, heart, or kidneys.

The good news is, there are many ways to prevent infection in the first place.

Whether you're currently pregnant or are immune-compromised and trying to avoid Listeria infection, here are some ways to prevent it:

• Avoid foods that are a greater risk for Listeria, such as prepared meats, unpasteurized milk products, and refrigerated smoked seafood
• Always keep your fridge at 40 degrees F or colder
• Don't let foods that require refrigeration sit at room temperature for more than two hours
• Clean your fridge regularly, cleaning out any food that has spoiled
• If you're purchasing any ready-to-eat foods, eat them as soon as possible

If you're an individual who is at greater risk of infection and has consumed a product that was recalled, keep an eye on your symptoms and talk to your doctor about any concerns.

Since the recalled blueberries were only shipped to one customer and did not reach retail stores, it is unlikely that any consumers will be affected by the contamination. If you checked the blueberries you have and they match the lot codes (13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096), toss them immediately.

Generally, if you have concerns about any foodborne illness, you should report your symptoms to your local health department so they can investigate.