The FDA has recalled Dole blueberries for possible contamination

You may want to rethink adding any blueberries to your pancake mix for a while. The FDA has just announced a recall on Dole blueberries after potential Cyclospora contamination occurred. 

As of now, there have been no reported cases of illnesses, but both the Food and Drug Administration and the fresh produce brand are working together to spread the message.

"Dole Diversified North America, Inc. is coordinating closely with regulatory officials," the FDA stated. "No illnesses have been reported to date in association with the recall."

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What is Cyclospora?

The blueberries may be infected with a parasite called Cyclospora, which, if ingested, could lead to an intestinal infection called Cyclosporiasis. The FDA went on to explain in its official statement how one can become infected with this parasite, and what symptoms to look out for.

"A person may become infected after ingesting contaminated food or water," according to the statement. "Common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, body aches and fatigue. The infection is treated with antibiotics and most people respond quickly to treatment."

If you find yourself experiencing these types of symptoms, do consult a doctor as soon as possible to begin any necessary treatment.

Most Dole blueberries can be found in your local grocery store and according to the brand, the infected blueberries were distributed to four US states: Illinois, Maine, New York, and Wisconsin, and two provinces in Canada: Alberta and British Columbia.

How do you know if your Dole blueberries are infected?

If your Dole blueberries have a "pack out" date between May 28, 2021, and June 09, 2021, you may want to double-check to make sure yours are not infected. 

Only a certain amount of batches were possibly contaminated during the production. Since each batch is given a specific UPC code, product description, and product lot code, which the FDA's official recall page has listed out.

If your purchased blueberries even have the slightest chance of being contaminated, the FDA recommends immediately disposing of them and avoiding eating them. If you have any questions or concerns about the recall, you can contact Dole's Consumer Center at 1-800-356-3111.