Dole issues recall on its blueberries for possible cyclospora contamination

Dole just issued a recall for its fresh blueberries after it was found that it could be potentially contaminated with cyclospora, a parasite that, when consumed by people through food or drink, can cause an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis.

The affected batches of Dole blueberries

According to USA Today, Dole recalls not all the batches of its fresh blueberries but just a limited number of cases for fear of cyclospora contamination. Based on the note from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American agricultural multinational corporation headquartered in Westlake Village, California, has voluntarily recalled some blueberries in different packaging sizes that were packed between the dates from May 28 and June 9.

In the recall sheet, the Dole blueberries affected are in packages of 6, 18, and 24 ounces. Pint sizes are also included in the recall. The consumers who purchased the Dole Fresh Blueberries that were packed on the given dates are asked to discard them immediately.

Fortunately, the FDA stated that so far, they have not received any complaints of illnesses yet that are linked to the affected Dole blueberries. The people are also warned to watch out for signs of cyclospora infection.

If eaten, the person could experience severe abdominal pain, nausea, body aches, diarrhea, and fatigue. Infected individuals must seek medical help, and usually, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill and flush out the parasite.

The affected Dole Blueberries

As mentioned on the official recall posted on the FDA website, the affected Dole Blueberries were sold and distributed in New York, Wisconsin, Maine, and Illinois. The product was also sent to at least two provinces in Canada, including British Columbia and Alberta.

“No other Dole products are included in the recall,” the FDA wrote in the notice. “Only Dole Fresh Blueberries with the exact UPC and lot code combinations identified above are included in the recall. Consumers who have any of the recalled products should not consume it, but rather discard it immediately.”