As of December 18, 2025, consumers nationwide are being urged to immediately check their pantries for a popular snack item: the Member’s Mark Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety Pack sold exclusively at Sam’s Club. This urgent food safety alert stems from a voluntary recall issued by the supplier, Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, LLC, over concerns of potential contamination with *Listeria monocytogenes*, a dangerous bacteria that can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, infections. This recall, which was officially announced in late July 2025, affects products distributed across 42 to 43 states, making it a widespread concern for Sam’s Club shoppers.
The potential presence of *Listeria* in a seemingly harmless, shelf-stable snack like freeze-dried fruit is a significant public health concern. While healthy individuals may only suffer short-term, flu-like symptoms, the risk to high-vulnerability groups, including pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, is exceptionally high. It is crucial for anyone who has purchased these specific fruit packs to understand the exact product details, the health risks involved, and the immediate steps required to secure a full refund and ensure household food safety.
The Critical Details of the 2025 Sam's Club Fruit Recall
The recall centers on the Member’s Mark brand, Sam’s Club’s private label, specifically targeting a freeze-dried fruit variety product. The action was initiated after internal testing by the manufacturer, Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, LLC, revealed the presence of the harmful bacteria. This proactive measure is a key component of the FDA’s food safety oversight, ensuring potentially contaminated products are removed from the market before widespread illness occurs.
Affected Product Identification: Check Your Pantry Now
To determine if you possess the recalled product, you must verify the specific brand, packaging, and identifying codes. This is not a general recall of all Member's Mark fruit snacks, but a highly targeted action on a specific lot of the variety packs.
- Product Name: Member's Mark Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety Pack
- Packaging: 15-count foil pouch variety packs
- UPC Code: 1 93968 50900 2
- Recalling Company: Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, LLC
- Affected "Use By" Dates: Packages with "Use By" dates ranging from June 24, 2027, through July 25, 2027, are included in the recall.
- Distribution: Sold exclusively at Sam's Club retail stores in approximately 42 to 43 states nationwide.
The severity of this *Listeria* foodborne illness threat necessitates immediate consumer action. Even if the product appears normal and smells fine, it must not be consumed. The contamination is microscopic and cannot be detected by sight or smell.
Understanding the Danger: Listeriosis Symptoms and High-Risk Groups
The organism at the heart of this recall, *Listeria monocytogenes*, is a bacterium that causes the infection known as Listeriosis. Unlike many other foodborne pathogens, *Listeria* can grow even in refrigerated temperatures, posing a unique challenge to food safety.
The Threat of Listeriosis: Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms of Listeriosis can vary widely, and the incubation period is notoriously long, making it difficult to trace the source of the infection. The median incubation period is about 21 days, but symptoms can appear anywhere from 3 to 70 days after consuming contaminated food. This long timeline means individuals who ate the recalled fruit weeks ago are still at risk.
For most healthy individuals, symptoms of Listeriosis may be mild, mimicking the common flu. These symptoms include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Nausea or diarrhea
However, if the infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract to the nervous system, the symptoms become much more severe and life-threatening. These severe symptoms include:
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
Why Listeria is a Critical Risk for Vulnerable Populations
While the general public faces a relatively low risk of severe illness, Listeriosis is particularly dangerous for specific high-risk groups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consistently highlight these populations in their food safety guidelines:
1. Pregnant Women: An infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Symptoms in pregnant women are often mild, making the risk to the fetus even more insidious.
2. Adults Over 65: Older adults are more susceptible to severe illness because their immune systems are naturally less robust. They face a higher risk of developing invasive Listeriosis, which can lead to meningitis or sepsis.
3. Individuals with Weakened Immune Systems: People with conditions like cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, or those taking immunosuppressive medications are at the highest risk for severe infection and death.
If you fall into any of these high-risk categories and have consumed the recalled Member's Mark freeze-dried fruit, you should seek medical attention immediately, even if you are not currently showing symptoms. Early diagnosis is key to effective treatment.
Immediate Action Plan: What to Do If You Bought the Recalled Fruit
The response to a major food recall involves two main steps: product disposal/return and thorough sanitation to prevent cross-contamination. Sam’s Club and Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions are committed to ensuring customer safety and providing a straightforward path for consumers to receive a full refund.
Step 1: Stop Consumption and Secure a Full Refund
The first and most important step is to stop consuming the product immediately. Do not attempt to salvage any portion of the variety pack.
- Return for Refund: Customers are advised to return the recalled Member's Mark Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety Pack to any Sam's Club location. A receipt is not typically required for recalls of this nature, and you will receive a full refund for the purchase price.
- Disposal Option: Alternatively, you can dispose of the product entirely by placing it in a sealed bag and throwing it away in a covered trash receptacle to prevent others from consuming it. If you choose this option, you can still contact Sam's Club customer service or the manufacturer (Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions) for refund information.
Step 2: Clean and Sanitize Your Kitchen
Listeria can easily spread to other surfaces and foods in your kitchen, a process known as cross-contamination. This is a critical step often overlooked in food safety alerts.
- Identify Contact Surfaces: Thoroughly wash and sanitize any surfaces that the recalled product may have touched, including countertops, shelves, refrigerator drawers (if stored there), and cutting boards.
- Use a Sanitizing Solution: The CDC recommends using a solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid, unscented bleach to 1 gallon of water to sanitize surfaces.
- Wash Hands and Utensils: Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds after handling the product or cleaning the area. Clean any dishes or utensils that may have come into contact with the fruit.
This urgent Sam’s Club fruit recall serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance in food consumption. While the initial recall was voluntary, the potential severity of Listeriosis means that all consumers must treat this food safety alert with the utmost seriousness. Always check FDA and CDC warnings, especially when purchasing ready-to-eat products like dried or frozen fruit snacks. By taking immediate action, consumers can protect themselves and their families from the risk of a severe foodborne illness.
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