A significant food recall, when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall of more than 2 million doughnut and confectionary items in the US and Canada due to potential contamination for Listeria monocytogenes. The recall encompasses approximately 60 different products, including doughnuts, fritters, paczki, eclairs, and munchkins, all produced by FGF Brands, an Indiana-based pastry manufacturer. These were dispensed to multiple grocery stores and retail outlets including Dunkin' locations.
Timeline of the Recall
Recall of Recall was first reported on January 7, 2025, and then reclassified as Class II recall by the FDA on February 5, 2025. A Class II recall is characterized as a circumstance in which the exposure to or use of a violative product has the potential to result in transient or medically reversible adverse health effects, although the chance of serious adverse health effects is low.
Details of the Affected Products
All of the recalled products were fabricated on or before December 13, 2024, and the items are not expired. The high number of foods implicated are a diverse set of doughnuts and baked goods found across the U.S. and Canada. Consumers are urged to look for such products in their pantries and freezers and stop eating them.
Health Risks Associated with Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium causing listeriosis, a serious infection, and has been known to pose a great risk to the special populations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1,600 people in the US get listeriosis every year, and about 260 people die from it. Infection is the greatest risk to pregnant women and their neonates, adults over 65 years old, and people with compromised immune systems.
Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, myalgia, nausea and vomiting. In the most severe cases the infection may overcome the gastrointestinal tract and become manifest as headaches, troubled neck, disorientation, a lack of equilibrium, or convulsions. Pregnancy makes them especially susceptible, as the infection may cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery or life-threatening neonatal infection.
Consumer Guidance
Consumers who have purchased any of the affected products are requested to refrain from consuming them but should return them to the place of purchase in order to receive a full refund. Retailers have been requested to withdraw sale items involved in a recall to prevent further sales.
If you have consumed any of the recalled products and are symptomatic of listeriosis then do not hesitate to see medical provider as soon as possible. When possible, an early diagnosis and treatment is very important, especially for high-risk groups.
Industry Response and Public Concern
This recall is the latest in a line of similar events that have occurred in the past few years, such as the recall of broccoli followed by a recall of Boar's Head meat products in 2024 for possible listeria contaminations. Support for food safety continues to be strong and a December 2024 survey by CivicScience found that 81% of respondents were at least somewhat interested in the recent wave of food product recalls, and 16% reported avoiding certain food items because of recent recalls.
As of this writing, FGF Brands, however, has not issued the results of a recall press release. The FDA is staying current with the situation and will share information as it is known.
Preventive Measures
In order to reduce the risk of listeriosis, consumers are told to take these food safety precautions:
- Maintain Proper Refrigeration: Keep perishable foods refrigerated at or below 40°F (4°C).
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash hands, utensils, and food preparation surfaces thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling food.
- Cook Foods Thoroughly: Foods cooked to the minimum internal temperature of the cooking temperature recommended for the destruction of food borne illness causing microorganisms.
- Avoid Cross-Contamination: Do not mix raw and cooked foods, so as to prevent bacterial contamination.
- Stay Informed: Information on food recalls should be reviewed intermittently from reliable bodies such as the FDA and CDC.
The recall of more than 2 million doughnuts and bakery products that may have been contaminated with listeria raises the stakes of food safety knowledge for producers, retail outlets, and consumers alike. Maintaining awareness and following good food safety practices allows consumers to reduce their risk of foodborne illness for themselves and their families.
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