The FDA’s highest-risk Class I recall for 400 boxes of organic blueberries tainted with deadly Listeria bacteria highlights yet another failure in America’s increasingly troubled food safety system, as illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths from contaminated food have doubled since 2023.
Key Takeaways
- Alma Pak International LLC recalled 400 boxes of organic blueberries contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly bacteria.
- The FDA elevated this to a Class I recall on July 1, indicating a “reasonable probability” of serious health consequences or death.
- Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States, particularly dangerous for the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
- Food recalls have alarmingly increased in 2024, with 300 recalls linked to nearly 1,400 illnesses, 487 hospitalizations, and 19 deaths – double the numbers from 2023.
- The contaminated blueberries were shipped to a single customer in North Carolina and can be identified by specific lot numbers.
Another Food Safety Crisis Emerges
The FDA has classified a blueberry recall as a Class I risk, their most serious designation, after Alma Pak International LLC recalled 400 boxes of organic blueberries on June 9 following positive tests for Listeria monocytogenes during routine product testing. The classification, made official on July 1, indicates what the FDA describes 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,” according to the FDA.
The affected blueberries were shipped exclusively to a single customer in North Carolina and can be identified by specific lot numbers provided in the recall notice. This recall is part of a disturbing trend of increasing food safety incidents that have plagued American consumers throughout President Trump’s first year back in office. The Georgia-based company initiated the recall immediately after detecting the dangerous bacteria, which the CDC describes as “bacteria that can contaminate many foods” and “can cause invasive illness and intestinal illness,” according to the CDC.
Listeria: A Deadly Threat to Vulnerable Americans
Listeria monocytogenes presents a particularly insidious threat because, unlike many foodborne pathogens, it can thrive at refrigeration temperatures. This means contaminated foods stored properly in refrigerators can still harbor growing bacterial colonies. Symptoms of Listeria infection range from mild fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea to severe manifestations including headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. The bacteria poses an especially serious threat to newborns, adults over 65, and those with compromised immune systems.
“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” according to the FDA.
The FDA advises anyone experiencing symptoms of listeriosis to contact their healthcare provider immediately. Listeria has earned its reputation as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States, claiming numerous American lives annually despite the FDA’s regulatory oversight. The contamination often affects ready-to-eat foods like soft cheeses, deli meats, and apparently even fruits like blueberries, which are consumed without cooking that would otherwise kill the bacteria.
A Troubling Pattern of Food Safety Failures
This blueberry recall is just the latest in an alarming surge of food safety incidents during 2024. Other recent recalls due to Listeria risk include FreshRealm’s chicken fettuccine alfredo and Bornstein Seafoods Inc’s shrimp, demonstrating how widespread the problem has become across various food categories. The past two years have witnessed a disturbing rise in food recalls, with 300 recalls in 2024 alone linked to nearly 1,400 illnesses across the country.
“bacteria that can contaminate many foods” according to the CDC.
More troubling still is that these contaminated food products have required hospitalization for 487 Americans and resulted in 19 deaths – a shocking doubling of both figures compared to 2023. The dramatic increase raises serious questions about the effectiveness of our food safety system and the competence of regulatory oversight. While the FDA continues to monitor this specific recall situation, the broader pattern suggests an urgent need for President Trump’s administration to implement more stringent safety protocols and accountability measures for food producers nationwide.
