FDA Issues Class I Recall for Blueberries Over Listeria Contamination Risk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class I recall, its highest risk level, for organic blueberries distributed by Alma Pak International LLC after Listeria monocytogenes was detected during routine testing.

The voluntary recall, initiated by Alma Pak on June 9, involves 400 boxes of organic bulk blueberries, each weighing 30 pounds—a total of 12,000 pounds. The blueberries were shipped to a single customer in North Carolina, though the FDA has not disclosed whether the recipient is a distributor, retailer, or other food handler.

Class I Recall: A Serious Public Health Risk

The FDA classifies recalls into three categories. A Class I recall indicates “a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

The contaminant in question, Listeria monocytogenes, is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a potentially life-threatening infection. The FDA explains that symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in healthy individuals. However, for pregnant women, the elderly, young children, or immunocompromised individuals, the illness can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe systemic infection. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection to the recalled blueberries.

According to the FDA’s recall notice, the contamination was identified during routine finished-product testing conducted by Alma Pak. The company issued the recall voluntarily and is working with the FDA to manage the issue.

Recent FDA Recalls Highlight Listeria and Salmonella Risks Across Food Categories

This case adds to a growing list of recent FDA recalls triggered by Listeria concerns. In the past two months, several food products—including frozen shrimp, pasta salad kits, and soft cheeses—have been recalled due to potential contamination.

In June, Bornstein Seafoods, Inc. recalled various cooked, peeled, ready-to-eat coldwater shrimp products after routine environmental testing detected Listeria at its facility. The affected shrimp were distributed nationally and were pulled from the market out of caution, though no illnesses had been reported.

In June, Eastern Fish Company recalled several varieties of cooked, peeled, ready-to-eat coldwater shrimp after Listeria was discovered during routine environmental testing at a processing facility. Around the same time, FreshRealm, Inc. pulled thousands of chicken fettuccine alfredo meals sold under the Marketside and Home Chef brands after a multistate outbreak of listeriosis. According to the FDA and CDC, the outbreak led to 17 illnesses, 16 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths, including one fetal loss. Investigators traced the outbreak strain to the company’s production facility, prompting the recall.

In May, Fresh & Ready Foods, LLC issued a recall for multiple refrigerated sandwiches and snack kits following Listeria detection through routine environmental sampling. At least 10 people across California and Nevada were hospitalized in connection with the products.

The FDA also issued a public health advisory earlier this year regarding brie and camembert-style soft cheeses, warning consumers of elevated Listeria risk even though no confirmed outbreak had been reported. These cheeses remain on watchlists due to their vulnerability to contamination.

Beyond Listeria, the FDA responded to other food safety threats in 2025. In May and June, cucumbers from Bedner Growers, Inc. were recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination. Other products such as mini pastries, eggs, and pistachio cream were also flagged for Salmonella in separate investigations.

Innovations in Food Safety: Technology’s Expanding Role in Contamination Prevention

As foodborne illness threats persist, biotechnology is increasingly central to both prevention and detection strategies. Companies are now deploying next-generation sequencing (NGS) and real-time PCR diagnostics to detect microbial contamination earlier and more precisely during food production.

Meanwhile, genetically modified organisms (GMOs)—such as pest-resistant or longer shelf-life fruits—are being explored as tools to reduce the need for post-harvest chemical treatments that can increase microbial risk if not handled properly. While the recalled blueberries in this case were organic, experts continue to debate whether certain GMO strains could eventually help reduce susceptibility to pathogens like Listeria or Salmonella in conventional farming systems.

On the pharmaceutical front, monoclonal antibody therapies and targeted antibiotics are under development for vulnerable populations exposed to severe foodborne pathogens, potentially offering rapid treatment in high-risk cases. The rising frequency of recalls has also accelerated investment in AI-powered traceability platforms, enabling manufacturers and regulators to quickly identify contaminated lots and minimize exposure.

With global food supply chains becoming more complex, the integration of biotech solutions—from precision microbiology to genome-edited crops—is expected to play a larger role in creating safer, more resilient food systems in the years ahead.

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Author

Bernice Lottering