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HUNDREDS of boxes of a popular fruit are being recalled after it’s been found to have a deadly disease.
The US Food and Drug Administration issued the highest risk warning for 400 boxes of the fruit, each box weighing 30 pounds.
Boxes of blueberries sold by Alma Pak International LLC were voluntarily recalled on June 9, and the FDA issued its Class 1 risk on July 1.
According to the FDA, a Class 1 risk means that there is “reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
When the firm conducted its routine testing on the finished blueberry product, it discovered that the fruit was contaminated with Listeria.
Listeria can “cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” the FDA reported.
“Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.”
More severe complications from Listeria include confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
The microorganism can commonly be found in soil and the natural environment and it can grow at refrigerated temperatures.
“Early symptoms of listeria infection look similar to other common foodborne infections, including fever, diarrhea and vomiting, so it’s often not diagnosed right away,” Mary O’Riordan, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School, told Newsweek.
“Unfortunately, sometimes listeria can spread into the brain and cause more serious illness, like meningitis.
“In those cases, if people experience headache, stiff neck or confusion, they should seek urgent medical attention.”
The blueberries being recalled were shipped to North Carolina.
The products have the lot numbers 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096.
The company said the product was “fully recovered” before customers could consume it.
“As a result, no product was sold to consumers, and there was no risk to public health,” Ama Pak International LLC told Newsweek.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection
Listeria is a bacteria that leads to a disease called listeriosis.
The bacteria is found in many places, including soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation, and animals, and it thrives in unsanitary food production conditions, leading to contamination of food.
Symptoms of listeriosis include:
- For the less severe, non-invasive listeriosis, mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur, and often persist for 1 to 3 days.
- For the more severe, life-threatening invasive form of the disease, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
- Invasive listeriosis is a potentially life-threatening sickness, especially for newborns, adults over the age of 65, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Symptoms of listeriosis during pregnancy may be mild or go unnoticed.
- However, it can lead to severe outcomes, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Anyone who suspects they’ve developed symptoms of a listeriosis infection is urged to contact their healthcare provider.
Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration
“The company worked in close coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and an independent food safety consultant to conduct a thorough investigation.
“Alma Pak International has implemented additional corrective actions and preventive controls to further strengthen its already rigorous food safety systems,” the statement continued.
The company stated that all its products undergo comprehensive testing.
“In response to the incident, intensified vector sampling was conducted to support the company’s proactive ‘seek and destroy’ commitment.
“All subsequent samples collected during this enhanced monitoring process tested negative for Listeria monocytogenes, further confirming the effectiveness of the food safety program.”
Alma Pak International LLC did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for more information.
