2 Million Doughnut and Pastry Products Have Been Recalled from Stores Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Mar. 15, 2025

Stack of glazed doughnuts (stock image).Photo:Getty

Getty

Approximately 2 million baked goods have been recalled due toconcerns of potential listeria contamination,according to a report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall, which was initiated on Jan. 7, was upgraded Wednesday to Class II, which 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,” per theFDA’s website.

In a statement, FGF Brands said, “Food safety is our top priority.” The organization added that the “voluntary recall was completed over a month ago … and does not implicate anything that is currently, or was recently, on the market” and that “all donuts are completely safe to eat.”

Inspire Brands, the company that owns Dunkin’, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Doughnuts in production process (stock image).Tim Boyle/Getty

Tim Boyle/Getty

The official reason for the recall is listed as “potential for contamination with listeria monocytogenes,” a species of listeria. According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S. The CDC estimates that 1,600 Americans are infected with listeria each year, and approximately 260 people die from those infections.

Symptoms of listeria typically look like signs of food poisoning, such as vomiting, muscle aches and fever. However, in more severe cases, symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, per anFDA info page.

Infection poses the greatest risk for pregnant women, newborns, adults who are 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems, per the CDC.

This most recent recall comes after arecall of broccolilast month, in addition to a significant recall of severalBoar’s Head meat productsin July 2024 — both due to potential listeria contamination.

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Data fromCivicScience,an opinion research group founded at Carnegie Mellon University, revealed that 81% of respondents in a December 2024 survey were “at least somewhat” concerned about the wave of food product recalls, including 31% who were “very concerned.”

Additionally, 16% of respondents reported avoiding a product they usually purchase due to recent recalls.

source: people.com