FGF Brands Pulls Millions of Doughnuts After Listeria Scare
Here’s something that’s sure to make anyone double-check the treat box: in January 2025, FGF Brands, a main supplier to Dunkin’ and other big names, issued a massive recall. About 2 million baked goods—including fan favorites like chocolate and raspberry doughnuts, French crullers, eclairs, coffee rolls, and pumpkin cake munchkins—were scooped off shelves nationwide over worries about Listeria recall. That’s a number to make even die-hard doughnut lovers uneasy.
The move started quietly on January 7. By February 5, the FDA had stamped the situation as a “Class II recall.” If you’re wondering what that means, it’s basically a heads-up rather than a five-alarm fire—the FDA says it’s unlikely to cause serious harm, but there’s still a risk for some folks. The recall only covered baked goods made before December 13, 2024, so if you’ve restocked on sweet treats since then, you’re in the clear.
What’s wild is that FGF Brands found no trace of Listeria on any actual doughnuts or even food-contact equipment. So why the fuss? The issue turned up from non-product areas during checks at one of their U.S. doughnut plants. Even so, the company didn’t want to take chances, especially with a bug as nasty as Listeria lurking around.
Who's at Risk: What Listeria Means for You
Don’t brush this off if you’re pregnant, older, or have a weakened immune system. Doctors say Listeria is serious for these groups, capable of causing fever, muscle aches, and sometimes life-threatening infections. The CDC tracks about 260 deaths a year from listeria-related illness in the U.S.—so this isn’t just a rare footnote. For most healthy people, though, the risk is pretty low, and you might not even notice if exposed.
If you’re cleaning out the pantry or freezer, here's a quick checklist of what to look for:
- Chocolate, raspberry, or Bavarian doughnuts
- French crullers and eclairs
- Coffee rolls
- Pumpkin cake munchkins
These were the main suspects in the recall. By now, stores have cleared them off shelves, but if you happen to spot any of these with production dates before December 13, 2024, it’s best to toss them—don’t chance it. The company says the recall was wrapped up quickly in January, and no doughnuts sold recently were involved.
Food recalls like this don’t happen every day, but they’re a reminder that companies and regulators are on the lookout, even for problems that never get near your morning coffee or snack break. For anyone still scanning the fridge worried about their stash, you can relax—as long as your sweets are fresh, they’re good to go.