Emergency Recall: 400 Boxes Of Blueberries Contaminated With Listeria

Last week, food safety officials announced an emergency recall of 400 boxes of blueberries after testing positive for Listeria contamination.
I remember hearing the news while unpacking my own groceries, frantically checking the packaging of my fresh berries.
This dangerous bacteria can cause serious illness, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women, elderly folks, and those with weakened immune systems.
Understanding the details of this recall might just save lives.
1. 400 Boxes Of Berries Pulled Just In Time

Holy blueberries, Batman! A whopping 400 boxes of those little blue superfoods are being yanked from the supply chain faster than you can say “antioxidant.” Each box contained about 30 pounds of berries – that’s roughly 12,000 pounds of potentially contaminated fruit!
The recall affects organic blueberries distributed by Alma Pak International, a Georgia-based company. Most of the shipment went to a single customer in North Carolina, and the issue was discovered during routine quality testing.
FDA officials say the affected boxes are labeled with lot numbers 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096. The company claims all products were recovered before hitting retail shelves—but the FDA has not officially confirmed this. I still double-checked my fridge just to be sure.
2. Listeria: The Sneaky Food Villain

Listeria might sound like a villain from a sci-fi movie, but in reality, it’s far more frightening. This tricky bacterium has a unique ability to grow even at refrigerator temperatures—conditions that usually stop most other foodborne pathogens in their tracks.
A friend of mine got listeriosis last year from contaminated deli meat and called it “the worst flu of my life, times ten.” Infections can be unpredictable—symptoms sometimes appear as early as 1 to 3 days, but in more serious cases, they may take 1 to 4 weeks to develop. These can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and even digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What makes Listeria particularly dangerous is its ability to cross critical barriers in the body—the intestinal lining, the blood-brain barrier, and in pregnant women, the placenta. That’s why it poses a serious risk of miscarriage or severe illness in newborns.
3. What Listeria Can Really Do To You

Pregnant ladies, listen up—you’re nearly 10 times more likely to get infected with Listeria than the general population. When I was expecting my daughter, my doctor warned me about this exact scenario, and I avoided deli meats and soft cheeses for nine straight months.
Seniors over 65 and people with weakened immune systems also face significantly higher risks.
Healthy adults can typically recover with mild symptoms or none at all, but in vulnerable groups, Listeria can lead to serious complications like meningitis or sepsis. It’s not common—but when it hits, it demands fast attention.
4. Keep Your Kitchen Listeria-Free

Mud on boots! That’s what investigators believe brought Listeria into the blueberry processing facility. After visiting the farm in southern Georgia where these berries were grown, I was shocked by how easily contamination can happen.
The investigation revealed that heavy rainfall in April created standing water near harvesting areas. Listeria naturally occurs in soil and water, and wildlife (possibly deer or birds) likely tracked it into the fields.
Farm workers then unknowingly transferred the bacteria to harvesting equipment and containers. Unlike other produce, blueberries aren’t typically washed before packaging because moisture reduces shelf life. This perfect storm of circumstances allowed the bacteria to hitch a ride all the way to distribution centers before testing caught it.
5. So, Should You Still Eat Blueberries?

The FDA’s routine sampling program deserves a standing ovation for this one. During a scheduled inspection at Alma Pak’s distribution center, inspectors randomly selected samples from recently arrived shipments.
According to the FDA, once the Listeria-positive test results came in, the agency responded immediately. A Class I recall—their most urgent classification—was issued, indicating a reasonable probability that exposure could lead to serious health issues.
The FDA’s rapid response system ensured that all 400 boxes were located and removed before reaching grocery store shelves. Still, consumers are advised to check their packaging and remain cautious.
If you’re unsure whether your blueberries are affected, check the lot number and when in doubt—throw them out.