A new food safety alert is shaking U.S. consumers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the immediate recall of several batches of fresh blueberries after detecting Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium that can cause serious infections, particularly in pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

The announcement, issued on July 2, 2025, affects products distributed nationwide to grocery stores and natural food retailers. The packaging company, identified by the FDA as voluntarily recalling the items, advised consumers not to eat, freeze, or handle the blueberries, and instead dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a disease that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), affects approximately 1,600 people in the U.S. each year and causes around 260 deaths. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the nervous system, causing meningitis or even death.

“The problem with listeria is that it can remain active even at low temperatures, such as those in a household refrigerator,” warned Dr. Jennifer McCloskey, a microbiologist at Yale University. Additionally, the incubation period can be long—up to 70 days—making it difficult to trace the source during outbreaks.

This incident adds to a series of similar alerts this year, prompting the FDA to strengthen surveillance protocols on fresh produce, especially widely consumed fruits. The agency recommends checking product labels and visiting their official website (www.fda.gov) to identify affected batches.

While investigations continue, public health experts emphasize the need for better hygiene practices across the food supply chain. Fresh fruit consumption should not be discouraged, but it does demand greater care and accountability in production.