Thousands of pounds of blueberries are being recalled over fears they may be contaminated with listeria.
The voluntary recall involves bulk organic blueberries from Alma Pak International in Georgia and covers 400 boxes of the fruit, each weighing 30 pounds.
“During routine testing the firm received positive test results of Listeria monocytogenes on their finished product,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted in its recall notice.
The recall began in June, but on July 1, the FDA classified it as a Class I risk — the most severe on the agency’s scale — which means there’s a “reasonable probability” the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
The blueberries were shipped to one customer in North Carolina.
Infection from Listeria bacteria is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pregnant women, babies, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk for severe disease from the infection.
Warning signs can include fever and flu-like symptoms, such as headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
