In January 2025, a massive recall was announced for approximately 2 million bakery and pastry products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall, by FGF Brands, a wholesale pastry distributor in Indiana, involves a wide variety of products, including doughnuts, pastries, and coffee rolls that were sold in both the United States and Canada. According to the FDA, the reason this is classified under the FDA’s guidelines as a Class II recall is because it has a possible risk to health.
Scope of the recall
More than 60 types of baked products produced by FGF Brands are involved in the recall. All the recalled products were produced prior to December 13, 2024. Though FGF Brands distributes in both the United States and Canada, the donut products that are part of the current recall were distributed only in the United States. Some of these recalled products were sold at Dunkin’ and other stores around the country.
Affected products include:
- Cake rings
- Sour cream cake donuts
- Eclairs
- Coffee rolls
- Apple fritters
- Pumpkin cake rings
- Pumpkin cake munchkins
- Apple cider cake rings
- Chocolate cake rings
- Blueberry cake rings
- Cake sticks
- Yeast donuts
- Apple crisp donuts
- Mini cake donut rings
A full list of the affected products and their respective recall numbers can be accessed on the FDA’s website.
Listeria monocytogenes: A potential health hazard
The reason for the recall is that these products could potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a serious, sometimes life-threatening foodborne illness. According to the CDC, listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S. About 1,600 Americans become infected with Listeria each year, and about 260 die from the infection.
Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. Although most people who are otherwise healthy will have mild disease, there are groups of individuals who are more likely to have severe illness. These include:
- Pregnant women and their unborn babies
- Adults 65 years or older
- People with weakened immune systems
- Listeria infection in pregnancy can also cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature delivery
Recall classification and consumer advice
This recall has been placed in a Class II recall according to FDA classification. This, of course indicates that the use or consumption of this particular product has some temporary and reversible adverse health effects, where no severe complications arising from these will be evident.
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged to discard them immediately to avoid health hazards. Consumers can contact FGF Brands’ customer service by phone number +1 905-761-3333 or email at info@fgfbrands.com for more information.
FGF brands’ response
FGF Brands stated that the reason for the recall was as a precautionary measure and no donuts or food contact surfaces were ever found positive for listeria. According to the company, this voluntary recall has already been completed in early January and does not affect currently marketed products.
Read more: Walmart is offering an $8 per person menu for Super Bowl 2025 – It’s the best food for the big day with almost ridiculous…
Read more: This is the surcharge Waffle House charges for each egg it sells – This is known from the new prices in the 2,100 branches
