More than 2 million baked goods, including doughnuts and coffee rolls sold at Dunkin' locations nationwide, have been recalled due to concerns of listeria contamination.
The recall, which affects products manufactured by FGF Brands, was officially triggered on January 7, 2025, and includes items sold before December 13, 2024.
The affected products include French crullers, eclairs, fritters, paczki, coffee rolls and a variety of doughnuts.
The Food and Drug Administration updated the recall to a "Class II" designation on February 5, according to an enforcement notice. The classification indicates that while the affected products could pose potential health risks, the likelihood of causing serious harm or death is considered low.
FGF Brands said the recall was "a precautionary measure" prompted by "non product related findings" at one of its doughnut facilities, which raised concerns about possible listeria contamination.
"No donuts or food contact surfaces ever tested positive for listeria," the company explained in a statement.
While the recall is extensive, both FGF Brands and Dunkin' have assured the public that no food currently on shelves has tested positive for listeria, and recent products are safe to consume. The companies emphasized that products sold after December 13, 2024, are not part of the recall and that there is no ongoing risk to consumers.
Listeria is a serious foodborne pathogen that can cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, infants, the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.
Symptoms -- including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea -- usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.
Most people infected with listeria usually get mild food poisoning symptoms and recover without treatment. However, listeria can cause severe illness when the bacteria spreads beyond the gut to other parts of the body. Almost all severe illnesses from listeria result in hospitalizations and sometimes death, according to the CDC.
The FDA continues to monitor the situation, and both FGF Brands and Dunkin' are cooperating with the investigation to ensure public safety.