The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the recall of batches of blueberries contaminated with a bacterium that can pose a serious risk to consumers’ health. The recall has been classified as a Class I recall. Here’s what we know about the affected products and where they were sold.
Why Were the Blueberries Recalled?
According to the FDA, the blueberries were found to be contaminated with Listeria, a bacterium that can cause severe health issues and, in the most serious cases, even death.
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Which Contaminated Blueberries Were Recalled?
A total of 5,488 kilograms of organic blueberries produced by Alma Pak International have been recalled. The affected products have the lot codes 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096. The recall process began on June 9, and nearly a month later, the FDA officially classified it as a Class I recall, the highest risk level.
Where Were the Listeria-Contaminated Blueberries Sold?
The affected product was sold in North Carolina.
What is a Class I recall?
The FDA classifies product recalls into three classes based on the potential danger they pose to consumers. The highest is Class I, which occurs when there is a reasonable probability that the use of the violative product or exposure to it will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
In this case, the procedure is as follows:
- The company issuing the recall notifies its customers and urges them to inform the intended recipients of the product.
- The notification typically includes the name of the recalled product, batch or serial numbers, the reason for the recall, a brief explanation of the associated risk, and instructions on how to correct, avoid, or minimize the issue. A phone number for further questions about the recall is also provided.
- The company issues a press release to inform the public, if applicable, to minimize public health consequences.
The other two recall classifications are:
- Class II recall: A situation where the use of the violative product or exposure to it may cause temporary or clinically reversible health consequences, or where there is a remote probability of causing serious adverse health consequences.
- Class III recall: A situation where the use of the violative product or exposure to it is not likely to cause any adverse health consequences.
What is listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium responsible for an infection that can be very serious or even fatal. This condition particularly affects young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
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Symptoms of listeria
Listeria infection may include the following symptoms, typically appearing within a month:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
- Confusion
In pregnant women, it can lead to miscarriages or stillbirth.
How dangerous is listeria?
Listeria infection can affect various organs, including the brain, spinal cord membranes, and the circulatory system.
How is listeria transmitted?
The bacterium are widespread in the environment, present in both water and soil. Infected animals can also act as carriers and sources of transmission.
Listeria can be transmitted in the following ways:
- Consumption of unpasteurized milk or contaminated vegetables.
- Transmission from mother to fetus in the womb or directly to the fetus during childbirth.
- Through sexual contact.
- Through inhalation of the organism.
How to prevent listeria?
Since this microorganism is widespread in the environment, the most effective protection is to follow basic hygiene practices. This includes consuming only pasteurized dairy products, ensuring meats are well cooked, and properly washing hands before preparing food.
It is also recommended that pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems avoid consuming these foods, along with soft cheeses and raw deli meats.
What Foods Cause Listeria?
Some foods that can cause a listeria infection include:
- Dairy products made with unpasteurized milk
- Cold cuts and processed meats (such as sausages, hams, and pâtés)
- Smoked fish, such as salmon
