Blueberries with potentially deadly health risks have been given an urgent recall.
A recent recall has now been upgraded to the highest level possible, such is the danger posed of illness and even death from eating contaminated blueberries.
According to the Independent, Alma Pak International LLC had issued the recall for 400 boxes of blueberries, weighing 30 pounds each, which were shipped to one customer in North Carolina.
It has not been revealed if the customer was a store, restaurant, or other facility.
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It recalled the organic blueberries on June 9 after they tested positive for listeria monocytogenes.
Commonly referred to as listeria, it can make you very sick if consumed.
According to the FDA, the bacteria was identified during routine testing, and they have since upgraded the June 9 warning to a Class I, the highest level of risk.
The FDA classifies a Class I recall as '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 product can be identified by the Lot numbers: 13325 G1060 / 13325 G 1096.
The CDC describes listeria is a 'bacteria that can contaminate many foods'.
If you were to eat something contaminated with the bacteria, it could 'cause an invasive illness and intestinal illness'.
Which foods can cause listeriosis?
According to the NHS in the UK, the main illness caused by listeria bacteria is listeriosis.
They say the highest risk products include:
- 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
According to the CDC, infections caused by listeria bacteria rank as the third leading cause of death caused by food in the United States.
Around 260 people die per year from infections caused by the bacteria.
What are the symptoms of listeriosis?
According to the NHS, in most people, listeriosis has no symptoms or only causes mild symptoms for a few days, such as:
- a high temperature
- aches and pains
- chills
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhea
Most people recover quickly from the illness without any major repercussions, but pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems may suffer worse.
How common is illness or death from foodborne bacteria?
Last year alone, there were around 300 recalls issued, which were believed to have caused nearly 1,400 illnesses, according to a Public Interest Research Group.
Out of the 1,400 illnesses, some 487 were hospitalized and tragically, 19 people died.
The total of hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illnesses has double since 2023.
Just last month, FreshRealm’s chicken fettuccine alfredo products were recalled after officials said a listeria outbreak had caused three deaths, one fetal loss, while 17 people fell ill.
The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said they may be 'adulterated' with the outbreak strain of listeria monocytogenes.
Back in 2022, a severe outbreak of listeria was linked to deli meats and cheeses, with 16 people across six states infected.
Topics: Health, Food and Drink
Jen Thomas