Nationwide recall of this organic fruit by the FDA, which has raised the alert to the highest level due to the risk of listeria

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated a nationwide recall of organic blueberries, which had first been announced last month. 

On Monday, June 9, Alma Pak International LLC issued a voluntary recall of 400 boxes of the fruit because of the presence of listeria monocytogenes. 

What is listeria monocytogenes? What illnesses can it cause?

Listeria monocytogenes is a potentially dangerous species of bacteria that can cause listeriosis, an infection which can in turn result in the host suffering a serious illness. That could include sepsis, meningitis, or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), although the severest of cases could lead to lifelong illness or even death.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that listeria can contaminate many foods, with infections coming as a result of consumption. Among those who are most at risk of developing a serious illness - or worse - from listeria are pregnant women, newborns, adults over the age of 65 and people with weak immune systems.

Blueberry recall escalated: “serious health consequences or death”

On Tuesday, July 1, the recall was escalated to a Class 1 recall, the most serious existing classification. A Class 1 recall is described as such by the FDA:

“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.”

Lot numbers of recalled blueberries

It is known that the recalled blueberries were delivered to one customer in North Carolina, although the affected batches - marked with Lot numbers 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096 - are believed to be in wider circulation across the United States. 

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