FDA Blueberries Recall: Here’s What You Need to Know About Potential Listeria Risk A major food safety issue has occurred in the past few weeks concerning consumers purchasing organic blueberries. A recall has been expanded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over a potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination raising alarms nationwide.
In this post, we will break down the information behind this recall, how Listeria contamination may threaten your health, and what you should do to keep yourself from eating unsafe foods.
The FDA Voluntary Blueberry Recall: What Went Wrong?
Alma Pak International LLC of Georgia on June 9, 2025, recalled organic blueberries for a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination of the product. The recall originally applied to approximately 400 30-pound boxes. The story takes a turn, however, peaking on July 1, 2025, when the FDA elevated the recall to Class I status.
Class I recalls are the most serious type of recall, and involve recalls in which there is a reasonable probability that eating the food will cause health problems or death. The recall implicated the blueberries shipped to a customer in North Carolina, but it is unclear whether these blueberries were ever distributed in store.
What is Listeria monocytogenes?
Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium that can cause the foodborne illness listeriosis. Listeriosis can be especially dangerous for high-risk categories of people such as pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Unlike other foodborne diseases, Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures, meaning it is an infection especially serious for consumers who take a contaminated product out of the fridge without knowing they’ve put themselves at risk.
Those bacteria can cause symptoms that range from moderately unpleasant to severe, including fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea and muscle aches. Severe cases of Listeria infection can lead to meningitis, septicemia and death.
The Risks of Listeriosis
In Listeria contamination the main issue is the risk to vulnerable groups. The effects are particularly severe for pregnant women, often resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth or serious infections in newborns. Infections in older people and in those with weakened immune systems can cause meningitis, which can result in brain and nervous system damage.
Listeriosis symptoms can vary, but the most common cultivations include:
- Fever and chills
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion or loss of balance
- Convulsions
You should be particularly alert to these symptoms if you are a member of a high-risk group. People who think they may have eaten contaminated food are advised to also seek medical help.
The Effect of the Blueberry Recall
Although the recall has only impacted a small fraction of shipments, it’s a good reminder of the ongoing danger of foodborne pathogens. Consumers who bought the impacted blueberries should closely examine the labels or lot numbers to determine whether they have any of the recalled batches.
As of now, the recall includes the following lot numbers:
- 13325 G1060
- 13325 G1096
If you have brought home blueberries from this lot, discard the product right away and do not eat any of the impacted fruit.
How to Protect Yourself: What to Do if You Have Recalled Blueberries
If you recently bought blueberries and are worried about the recall, here’s what you should do:
Check Lot Numbers: Find the lot numbers listed above on your blueberry packaging. If you can’t locate the lot number, consult your receipt or reach out to the store at which you bought the product for further information.
Throw Away the Bad Stuff: If you have any blueberries from the (possibly) aforementioned lot, don’t eat them. Dispose of it regardless of whether it looks or smells OK, as Listeria cannot be seen or smelled.
Sanitize Your Fridge and Kitchen: Disinfect any surfaces, containers or utensils that had contact to the contaminated blueberries to prevent it from spreading.
Monitor Your Health: Get up as much as possible, and be attentive to signs of illness if you’re at high-risk. Signs of listeriosis often come on a few days or a few weeks after eating food that has been contaminated.
Get Medical Help if Needed: If you have symptoms of listeria or believe you might be ill from the foods listed above, see your doctor for advice and any needed testing.
The Bigger Picture: Listeria in the Food Chain
This latest recall is only the most recent example of Listeria monocytogenes’ continuing threat to our food supply. Listeriosis causes approximately 1,600 infections and 260 deaths each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These figures illustrate the significance of food safety and the fact that we can never let our guard down.
May 2025 saw another significant food recall on the list when pre-packaged pasta meals caused an outbreak of listeriosis. The outbreak caused illness in 13 states and several hospitalizations and deaths. This latest episode of Listeria contamination in a range of foods serves as a reminder to maintain sensitive food safety controls throughout the food supply chain.
Tips for Preventing Listeriosis
To keep you and your family safe from Listeria germs, here are some commonsense food safety tips:
Wash produce well: Always wash fruits and vegetables under running water — and not just the ones you intend to eat raw, but also those that will be peeled or cooked. This aids in the elimination of dirt, bacteria and other pollutants.
Skip Raw Dairy: Raw milk and the cheeses that come from it can carry dangerous bacteria such as Listeria. Play it safe and opt for pasteurized.
Cook to Appropriate Internal Temperature: Cook meat, poultry, and fish to internal temperatures safe for eating. This kills off dangerous, disease-causing bacteria and other pathogens.
Food Store Correctly: Refrigerate or put in freezer perishable foods right away and keep your refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) to thwart bacteria from multiplying.
Clean Kitchen Surfaces Often: Make sure to keep your kitchen clean by disinfecting surfaces, cutting boards and utensils that touch uncooked food. It decreases the potential for contamination from cross contamination.
Check Food Recalls: Keep updated on food recall information by checking out the FDA’s recall alerts.want more? That allows you to act fast if a product you own is involved.
Conclusion: How to Keep Yourself Safe in a Complicated Food System
Poisonings from contaminated blueberries” Caught Our Attention The fact that the FDA already has heightened the recall of Alma Pak brand blueberries has raised concerns, and rightly so, but food safety also a responsibility for all. There are different stakeholders involved in the mitigation of risks of foodborne diseases such as listeriosis, such as producers, suppliers and consumers.
By keeping informed, adhering to best practices for food safety and taking prompt action if you suspect a product may be tainted, you can safeguard yourself and your loved ones from any potential ill effects.
For more information on food safety and to receive e-mail announcements for newly issued product recalls, visit the FDA’s Web site at FDA Food Recalls And Alerts.
And if you remain proactive and vigilant, you may be able to mitigate your own risk for foodborne illness and keep your meals safe. Stay informed, stay safe and never compromise on health when it comes to food shopping.
