Life-threatening recall issued on 55,000 pounds of blueberries

OREGON, USA — Over 55,000 pounds of blueberries have been recalled over the likelihood of contamination with disease-causing micro organism.

The Oregon Potato Company initially issued the recall of 55,689 pounds of its IQF Blueberry product on Feb. 12, in response to the Food and Drug Administration. But federal officers have since upgraded the recall’s classification to “Class I” that means there’s the potential of critical well being penalties or loss of life.

The blueberries weren’t offered on to prospects in retail shops, however have been distributed to individuals in Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. The blueberries have been offered inside 30 pound cardboard circumstances and 14,000 pound totes.

The fruits have been presumably contaminated listeria monocytogenes, which is present in soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation, and animals. People who eat meals contaminated with the micro organism can develop a illness known as listeriosis, which may trigger extreme signs like complications, loss of stability, and seizures.

The illness can probably be a life-threatening occasion for sure teams, in response to the FDA.

“Pregnant women and their unborn or newborn baby, adults over the age of 65, and those with weakened immune systems, are all considered to be high-risk groups that are susceptible to the serious and adverse effects of listeriosis,” the FDA stated on its web site.

“Unlike most bacteria, L. monocytogenes can grow at refrigeration temperatures and freezing will not eliminate or reduce the pathogen…It can also cross-contaminate other food that has been cut and served on the same cutting board or stored in the same area.”

The FDA suggested anybody who could have gotten sick from this recall or one other meals product to name its Main Emergency Number at 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366) or full an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form on-line.