Impact on the reputation of organic products: Alma Pak International LLC, a leading supplier of fruits, was forced to recall 12,000 pounds of organic blueberries after the detection of potential listeria contamination. This step, announced by federal health authorities, raised concerns about food safety and highlighted the fragility of supply chains in an era of heightened consumer safety standards.
The recall, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified as the highest risk level — Class I, involves 400 cases of 30-pound frozen blueberries shipped exclusively to a distributor in North Carolina. The product, marked with batch numbers 13325 G1060 and 13325 G1096, was removed after a routine test detected Listeria monocytogenes — a bacteria that can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, illnesses.
According to the FDA, none of the batches reached retail store shelves or consumers, and no cases of illness have been reported so far. However, the scale of the recall and its classification as a Class I alert indicate the seriousness of the potential threat. Listeriosis caused by this bacteria poses a particular danger to young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. In pregnant women, the infection can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, or premature labor, while in healthy individuals, symptoms typically include fever, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.
Alma Pak initiated the recall on June 9, and on July 1, the FDA elevated its status, signaling a "reasonable likelihood" of serious health consequences if contaminated berries are consumed. In a press statement, company representatives emphasized that they have immediately intensified sanitation protocols and monitoring at their facilities. “We take the safety of our customers very seriously,” said Ré.
