FDA upgrades blueberry recall to highest risk level

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded a blueberry recall this week to the highest risk level amid concerns of contamination.

The FDA raised the recall of 400 boxes that weigh 30 pounds to Class I.

The blueberry recall, which took place June 9, was initiated after Alma Pak International LLC of Alma, Ga. received a positive result of listeria monocytogenes during routine testing, according to the FDA.

FDA’s Class I classification 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 firm shipped the blueberries to one customer in North Carolina. The number of the recall is H-0204-2025.

Listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate “many foods,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People who consume those foods can be infected with the bacteria. The infections are rare, but can be serious, the CDC noted.

Pregnant women, newborns, adults older than 65 years and people with weak immune systems can be especially harmed if infected, according to the CDC.

The CDC estimates that 1,600 people are infected with listeria each year in the United States and 260 people die from the infection.

In early February, around 2 million donuts and along with other baked goods, were recalled due to listeria contamination.

Tags blueberries donuts fda Recall