Popular Member’s Mark snack pulled from shelves after FDA testing reveals contamination concerns

A snack aisle favorite just got pulled off the shelves. Sam’s Club shoppers across the country are being urged to toss out a popular fruit variety pack after a listeria warning triggered a widespread recall.

The product in question? Member’s Mark Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety Pack (15-count), distributed nationally through Sam’s Club stores. The maker, Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, confirmed the voluntary recall after internal FDA testing flagged the potential for contamination.

No reported illnesses yet—but the warning’s real.

What’s in the recall?

The recalled item is sold under Sam’s Club’s in-house brand, Member’s Mark, and includes 15 single-serving bags of freeze-dried fruits. The specific batches affected were shipped out last month and remained on shelves until this week’s recall.

It’s not just a small hiccup. This was a mass-distributed product stocked in Sam’s Club locations from California to New York.

“Consumers who have this product at home should not eat it,” said the FDA in a statement released Friday. “Dispose of the item immediately and contact Sam’s Club for a refund.”

Here’s what you need to check:

• Product: Member’s Mark Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety Pack

• Count: 15 single-serve pouches

• Brand: Member’s Mark

• Retailer: Sam’s Club

• Manufacturer: Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions

• Issue: Potential listeria monocytogenes contamination

No other Member’s Mark products are included in the recall at this time.

Why listeria is taken so seriously

Listeria monocytogenes isn’t your everyday stomach bug. This bacteria can lead to listeriosis—a rare but dangerous infection, especially for certain groups.

While most healthy individuals may only experience mild symptoms, others face more serious risks.

One sentence here for breathing space.

Pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

Listeriosis can cause:

• Fever and muscle aches

• Gastrointestinal distress

• Confusion or loss of balance

• In severe cases, meningitis or death

And if that’s not sobering enough, it’s worth noting that listeria can survive and even grow in refrigerated environments. That’s part of what makes it so tricky to catch and eliminate during food processing.

Tracing the source

According to the FDA, the contamination was identified during routine product testing—not from a consumer complaint. That matters, because it suggests the agency caught the issue before it reached a crisis point.

Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, based in Illinois, issued the voluntary recall as soon as they were notified.

No public-facing press conference. No dramatic announcements.

Just a quiet scramble behind the scenes to pull affected boxes and alert warehouses.

And while no illnesses have been linked to the product so far, the FDA isn’t taking chances. “Early detection like this is crucial to preventing foodborne illness outbreaks,” said food safety analyst Melissa George from the Consumer Food Watchdog Group.

What should shoppers do?

If you recently bought freeze-dried fruit at Sam’s Club, here’s the drill:

• Do not eat any portion of the 15-pack if it’s from the recalled batch.

• Dispose of the product safely. Do not attempt to wash or cook it.

• Visit your local Sam’s Club for a refund—even if you already ate part of it.

No receipt? Doesn’t matter. Sam’s Club says you’ll still get your money back.

If you’re unsure whether your purchase is part of the affected batch, contact Sam’s Club Member Services or check the official recall alert posted on the FDA’s website.

A growing trend of fruit-related recalls?

This isn’t the first fruit-related recall of 2025—and it may not be the last.

Earlier this summer, several frozen berry brands were pulled from shelves due to hepatitis A contamination. Last year, dried mango slices were recalled over salmonella concerns.

According to the 2025 Mid-Year Food Safety Report:

Fruits—especially freeze-dried and frozen varieties—are becoming an increasingly common source of contamination due to how they’re processed and stored. While they’re not inherently risky, their long shelf life and centralized production mean that even one slip-up can affect thousands.

No panic, but stay alert

Food safety experts say this isn’t cause for widespread alarm—but it is a reminder to stay informed.

“These recalls tend to catch people off guard because they involve everyday pantry items,” said Dr. Alicia Kim, a public health professor at Colorado State University. “Nobody thinks twice about fruit snacks. But even low-moisture foods can carry serious risk if not handled correctly.”

For now, the FDA continues to monitor the situation. Inspections are ongoing at Doehler’s facility, and Sam’s Club has ramped up internal product reviews.