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If you recently picked up some organic blueberries and thought you were making a super healthy choice, think again, especially if you’re in North Carolina. A whopping 12,000 pounds of organic blueberries, grown and packed by Alma Pak International in Atlanta, Georgia, are being urgently recalled after a serious food safety red flag was raised.
According to U.S. media reports, these berries are possibly contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause pretty alarming health problems, especially in young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with a weak immune system. Think fever, headaches, stiff necks, and in extreme cases, life-threatening infections. Yikes!
So, what exactly happened? The FDA ran a routine safety test at Alma Pak International, and boom, listeria showed up like an uninvited guest at a dinner party. This wasn’t taken lightly. The FDA immediately classified the situation as high risk, which is basically their version of “this is serious, folks.”
To keep things under control, the recall was officially kicked off on June 9, and investigations have since zeroed in on two specific lot numbers that are potentially affected:
1. Lot #13325 G1060
2. Lot #13325 G1096
Now here’s the bit that might calm your nerves: the entire contaminated batch was only shipped to North Carolina. So, if you’re in another state, you don’t need to toss out your berries in panic. But if you are in North Carolina and bought organic blueberries recently, this is your cue to check those labels like your life depends on it (because for some, it just might).
In times like this, it’s better to be safe than smoothie-sorry. If your box matches one of those lot numbers, don’t eat them, return them or throw them out immediately. No antioxidant boost is worth the risk of a bacterial ambush.
Alma Pak blueberry recall: What is Listeria?
So, what’s the big deal about this Listeria thing everyone’s suddenly worried about?
Listeria infection, also listeriosis, is a serious bacterial illness that sneaks into our bodies through contaminated food. It might sound like something out of a science textbook, but trust us, it’s very real and very risky, especially for pregnant women, elderly folks, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Here’s the scary part: Pregnant women might not even feel sick after eating contaminated food, but the bacteria can still silently pass to their unborn baby, potentially causing severe complications like miscarriage, premature birth, or even stillbirth. And all of this can happen without a single warning sign. It’s the kind of invisible danger no one wants on their plate.
The main culprit behind this infection? A resilient little bacterium called Listeria monocytogenes (or L. monocytogenes if you’re feeling science-y). This bug isn’t just lurking in obviously gross places; it hides in plain sight. It’s found in soil, water, sewage, rotting leaves, and even animals. It’s the kind of uninvited guest that crashes the party and raids your fridge.
And get this, unlike many bacteria that die off in cold temperatures, Listeria loves the cold. It can survive and even multiply inside your refrigerator, quietly growing on ready-to-eat items, soft cheeses, deli meats, or poorly washed fruits and vegetables.
The FDA warns that this bug can enter food at any stage, during harvesting, packing, processing, storage, or transport. All it takes is one dirty surface or contaminated tool, and it’s in your food. Even your furry friends can spread it around your home if they happen to munch on infected scraps.
Bottom line? Sanitation is everything. When it comes to food, especially fresh produce or chilled items, clean it well, store it right, and always check for recalls. Listeria may be microscopic, but the damage it causes is anything but small.
Listeria: What are the symptoms and how to treat it?
Listeria infections usually fall into two categories: one is relatively mild, and the other can be very dangerous. The less severe form is called non-invasive gastrointestinal listeriosis. This type typically affects the digestive system and shows up as symptoms like persistent fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. These symptoms usually last for one to three days and are similar to a bout of food poisoning. While unpleasant, non-invasive listeriosis generally doesn’t cause long-term harm in healthy individuals.
The more serious form is known as invasive listeriosis. This happens when the infection doesn’t just stay in the intestines but spreads to other parts of the body. In this stage, the bacteria can move into the bloodstream or even reach the brain, making the situation life-threatening. People with invasive listeriosis may experience symptoms like a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and in severe cases, convulsions. This form of the infection is particularly dangerous for people with weaker immune systems, including the elderly, newborns, and pregnant women.
Because the symptoms of listeriosis can often mimic those of other illnesses, they are sometimes overlooked in the early stages. However, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, especially in cases of invasive infection. If someone experiences severe symptoms after eating potentially contaminated food, they should seek medical attention immediately.