The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about blueberries that could be contaminated with listeria.
Alma Pak International of Georgia has issued a voluntary recall of bulk organic blueberries, affecting 400 boxes, each containing 30 pounds of the fruit.
What class is the FDA recall?
According to their statement, on July 1, the FDA classified the organic blueberry recall as a Class I risk, the highest class level.
A total of 400 boxes, each weighing 30 pounds, are being recalled. These blueberries were shipped to a customer in North Carolina and are associated with lot numbers 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096.
According to the administration’s website, the recall was initiated after routine testing at the company revealed the presence of listeria on one of its finished products.
Here is what each class of recall means:
What is listeria?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria is an illness caused by a type of bacteria that can contaminate a wide range of foods. It can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, adults over the age of 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Certain foods are more prone to contamination, such as soft cheeses, deli meats, and unpasteurized dairy products, which haven’t undergone a process used to kill harmful bacteria.
What are the symptoms tied to E. coli vs. listeria?
You can get listeriosis, an infection, by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium. E. coli contamination is typically spread when feces come into contact with food or water, the CDC says. Food handlers can spread infection when they do not use proper hand-washing hygiene after using the restroom. Some wildlife and livestock may also spread E. coli to food and food crops.
Listeriosis symptoms may start the same day you eat contaminated food, but are more likely to begin within two weeks after consumption and may start as late as 10 weeks later, according to the FDA. But E. coli infections typically occur three to four days after consuming the germ, according to the CDC.
Listeriosis symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea for those with a mild illness. Serious infections may lead to headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. An E. coli infection can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting for around five to seven days.
What should customers do if they have a recalled product in their home?
It’s good to be aware if you recently purchased a recalled product. There are steps to follow if you do have these products in your home. According to FoodSafety.gov, here are the steps you should take.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: FDA issues Class I recall for 12,000 pounds of blueberries from Alma Pak International
Reporting by Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman / Austin American-Statesman
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
