FDA Issues Nationwide Donut Recall—60 Products Pulled Due to Contamination

A class II recall was issued for 60 donut products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

When you’re craving something sweet, donuts are the perfect treat. However, you may want to stick to Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme. On January 7, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared a class II recall for FGF donut products due to potential contamination—60 donut varieties were taken off shelves. Keep reading to learn which products were affected and how to stay safe from foodborne illnesses. 

Everything to know about the FDA’sdonut recall

FGF Brands, a Canada-based company alongside the FDA, issued a firm-initiated recall of 60 of its donut products on January 7, 2025. 

According to the FDA, this type of recall is when “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.”

As of February 5, the FDA has identified the recall as class II. Of the three class identifications, class II applies when “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.” The donuts were recalled nationwide due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Which donuts were recalled?

While the packaging is unclear, all the donuts removed from shelves are “All product within expiration produced 12/13/24 and prior.” Some recalled flavors include the yeast ring donut, the fluff bar, plain cake donuts, French crullers, Persian donuts, raspberry and Bavarian-filled donuts, apple fritters and more. 

The size and quantity of the recalled products vary per item. FGF has not released a full product list and hasn’t said anything about the recall. It is currently ongoing, and there’s speculation that the cause is contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

“Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women,” the FDA said in a press release regarding a previous Listeria outbreak. 

What is a listeria infection?

When food has been recalled because of Listeria monocytogenes, it’s best to dispose of any affected products and avoid consumption. That’s because it may put you at risk for a listeria infection. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, a “Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women, people older than 65 and people with weakened immune systems. It’s most commonly caused by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get rid of listeria bacteria as they can survive both refrigeration and freezing, so it’s extra important to pay attention to food news and recalls.

The aforementioned symptoms of listeria infection can appear “a few days after you’ve eaten contaminated food, but it can take 30 days or more before the first signs and symptoms of infection begin.”

How to prevent a listeria infection

To prevent a listeria infection, all you have to do is follow a few key safety tips. These include:

• Keep things clean. To prevent bacteria from growing, ensure your hands, utensils, and other food prep areas are cleaned regularly.

• Scrub raw vegetables. Use a brush and running water to get all the dirt off any produce.

• Cook food thoroughly. Always cook meats to the proper internal temperature to eliminate any bacteria.