2 Million Baked Goods Are Recalled Over Listeria Risk
The recall, which was initiated on Jan. 7 and upgraded on Wednesday, includes several Dunkin’ products, federal safety officials said.
By Johnny Diaz
About two million baked goods, including some doughnuts and coffee rolls sold at Dunkin’, were recalled over concerns of potential contamination with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, federal safety regulators said.
The manufacturer FGF Brands, which distributes baked goods in the United States and Canada, issued the voluntary recall because of the “potential for contamination with Listeria monocytogenes,” according to a report released on Wednesday by the Food and Drug Administration.
The recalled products include a mix of chocolate, raspberry and Bavarian doughnuts; French crullers; éclairs; and coffee rolls. Some of the goods were sold at Dunkin’, and were produced before Dec. 13, 2024, the F.D.A. said. The suspected source of the contamination was not identified.
The recall, which went into effect on Jan. 7, was upgraded on Wednesday to a Class II, which is defined by the F.D.A. as “a situation in which use of, or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
The agency did not say if there had been any illnesses related to the recalled baked goods.
In a statement, FGF Brands said the voluntary recall was “a precautionary measure based on non-product related findings” at one of its doughnut facilities in the United States.
It added that “no doughnuts or food contact surfaces ever tested positive for listeria.”
The company also noted that the recall was completed in early January, “and does not implicate anything that is currently, or was recently, on the market. “We take food safety seriously and acted with an abundance of caution,” the statement said.
Dunkin’ did not immediately respond to inquiries on Sunday.
Listeria is the third leading cause of death from food-borne illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Infections from listeria, which is bacteria that can contaminate foods, are rare but can cause potentially serious illnesses.
Typical symptoms include fever and headaches. Most people who ingest food contaminated with listeria do not get sick, but pregnant women, older people, newborns and people with weakened immune systems can become seriously ill or die, according to the C.D.C.
Each year in the United States, an estimated 1,600 people are infected with listeria, and about 260 people die from those infections, the C.D.C. said.
The most recent recall related to listeria took place in December, when Braga Fresh announced it had recalled a single lot of packages of ready-to-eat broccoli florets sold at Walmart stores.
Johnny Diaz is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news from Miami. More about Johnny Diaz
More than 2 million baked goods recalled over concerns of listeria contamination
Corrections and clarifications: This story has been updated to reflect that the recall was voluntarily issued by FGF Brands.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall for 60 baked products, including a variety of doughnuts, over concerns of potential listeria contamination.
The recall, which impacts approximately 2 million baked goods, was voluntarily issued for products manufactured by FGF Brands, a pastry wholesaler that distributes baked goods within the U.S. and Canada, according to the FDA report. The reason for the recall, meanwhile, is listed as “potential for contamination with listeria monocytogenes.”
Recalled products include a variety of filled and flavored donuts, cinnamon sticks, French crullers, and fritters, some of which are also sold at Dunkin’, and were produced before Dec. 13, 2024, according to the report.
While the recall was initially issued on Jan. 7, it was upgraded to Class II on Wednesday. Class II is defined as “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the FDA’s website.
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The FDA did not specify the next steps for consumers and FGF Brands did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for a comment. Customers can reach the company via telephone at 905-761-3333 or via email at info@fgfbrands.com, according to details mentioned on their website.
A full list of products can be found on the FDA’s website.
See the collection:Krispy Kreme unveils new doughnut collection ahead of Valentine’s Day
Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women.
Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the CDC. The agency estimates that the disease impacts 1,600 Americans each year, with approximately 260 people dying from those infections.
Symptoms include, per the CDC:
People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care.
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Class II classification
Listeria poisoning symptoms
2 million baked goods, including some sold at Dunkin’, recalled in January over listeria concerns
Watch CBS News
By Kate Gibson
Edited By Anne Marie Lee
Updated on: February 10, 2025 / 1:54 PM EST / CBS News
About 2 million baked goods sold nationwide — including some doughnuts and coffee rolls purchased at Dunkin’ — were recalled last month due to concerns the products might be contaminated with listeria, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Manufacturer FGF Brands issued the recall involving products products before December 13, 2024, the FDA said in an enforcement report published on Wednesday. The recall went into effect on January 7, 2025, but the FDA did not issue a press release.
The recalled products included a range of chocolate, raspberry and Bavarian doughnuts, French crullers, éclairs and coffee rolls.
Dunkin’ responded to a request for comment by citing a statement by FGF Brands.
In it, the company said it wanted to clarify coverage of its recall to “ensure customers have not been misled or confused.”
The recall was completed in early January and came as the result of findings at one of the company’s doughnut facilities in the U.S., it stated. No food had tested positive for listeria and doughnuts currently on the market are safe to eat, it added.
Listeria is the third-leading cause of death from food-borne illness in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most people who consume food contaminated with the bacteria don’t get sick, but pregnant women, infants and older people, along with those with weakened immune systems can become seriously ill or die, the CDC stated.
An estimated 1,600 Americans are infected with listeria each year, and about 260 people die from the bacteria, the agency said.
Kate Gibson is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch in New York, where she covers business and consumer finance.
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