A massive recall of over 2 million donut cases has been issued due to potential listeria contamination, raising concerns about food safety oversight and public trust in the U.S. food supply chain.
At a Glance
- FGF LLC recalls over 2 million donut cases due to possible listeria contamination
- FDA classifies recall as “Class II,” indicating potential for non-permanent health issues
- Recall affects 60 products sold under various brand names, including Dunkin’
- Listeria poses high risk to immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and newborns
- Public trust in food safety measures declining, according to recent surveys
Massive Donut Recall Highlights Food Safety Concerns
FGF LLC, a Canada-based company, has initiated a recall of more than 2 million cases of donuts in the United States and Canada. The recall, which began on January 7, 2025, comes amid growing concerns about the effectiveness of food safety measures and the potential risks posed by listeria contamination in processed foods.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified this recall as “Class II,” indicating that while the health risk is not immediately life-threatening, it could lead to temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. This classification has prompted a closer examination of food safety protocols and their implementation across the industry.
The recall encompasses 60 different donut products manufactured by FGF Brands, LLC, and sold under multiple brand names, including the well-known Dunkin’ brand and various grocery store private labels. This wide range of affected products has made it challenging for consumers to identify potentially contaminated items, as many may not recognize the manufacturer’s name on packaging.
“A firm may choose to remove or correct a distributed product for any reason and under any circumstance. If a firm does this because it believes its product is violative, it is required to immediately notify the FDA,” the FDA said in a statement.
The recall affects all products with expiration dates produced on or before December 13, 2024. Varieties include yeast ring donuts, fluff bars, plain cake donuts, French crullers, Persian donuts, raspberry and Bavarian-filled donuts, and apple fritters. Consumers are urged to check expiration dates and product types carefully, as the lack of recognizable brand names in private-label recalls can make identification difficult.
Health Risks Associated with Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium at the center of this recall, poses a significant threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified listeria as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.
“Places that listeria can spread include food processing facilities. After getting into a food processing facility, listeria can be difficult to fully remove. In the facility, listeria can spread to food that touches contaminated surfaces or equipment. The germs even can grow in food kept in the refrigerator. If we eat food contaminated with listeria, the germs can spread to us and cause a harmful infection,” the CDC said.
The risk is especially high for young children, the elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. In pregnant women, listeria infection can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, or life-threatening infections in newborns, even if the mother experiences only mild symptoms.
This recall comes at a time when public confidence in food safety measures is already waning. A Gallup survey conducted in September 2024 revealed that only 57% of Americans have confidence in the government’s ability to ensure food safety, a significant decline from previous years.
