On June 9, a piece of news surprised many consumers in the United States. Alma Pak International LLC, a company dedicated to the export and import of food, announced the voluntary recall of hundreds of boxes of organic blueberries. The reason? The possible contamination with a dangerous bacterium called Listeria monocytogenes.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reacted quickly and classified the situation as a case of maximum risk. This means that the situation could pose a serious danger to public health.
What exactly happened?
According to the FDA and reports published by Newsweek, the bacterium was detected in routine tests conducted by the company. The affected batch was approximately 400 boxes, each with about 29 lbs. (13 kg) of organic blueberries. Fortunately, all the boxes were sent to a single customer in North Carolina, which made the recall process easier.
Alma Pak International clarified that the product was completely recovered before reaching supermarkets and that it was not sold to consumers. This means that, so far, there are no reports of people getting sick or immediate risks to the public.
What is listeria and what risks does it pose?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause an infection called listeriosis, and its symptoms vary greatly. In mild cases, it can resemble the flu: fever, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. But for certain vulnerable groups, such as newborns, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems, the infection can be much more serious.
Invasive listeriosis can lead to serious complications, such as seizures, blood infections, or even death. That's why health authorities are very strict with any product that poses a contamination risk.
Why so much alert?
The FDA doesn't make these decisions lightly. In this case, the risk was classified as Class I because there is a "reasonable probability" that consuming that product could cause serious health consequences or death.
Although there were no sales to the public, the quick action was key to preventing a possible outbreak or major health problems. It is a good example of how monitoring and quality controls can prevent disasters.
What should you do as a consumer?
If you bought organic blueberries recently, it is a good idea to check where you purchased them and stay alert to any official notices. Although this batch did not reach supermarkets, it is always important to:
- Buy fruits and vegetables from reliable places.
- Wash them well before consuming them.
- Stay alert to any news about product recalls.
In addition, if you have symptoms similar to those mentioned and you think you may have consumed a contaminated product, it is best to see a doctor.