Frozen Blueberries Recalled in Multistate Class I Listeria Notice

Federal regulators have announced that frozen blueberries recalled after Oregon Potato Company flagged 55, 689 pounds of individually quick-frozen berries for potential Listeria contamination. The notice, first made on Feb. 12 and upgraded to a Class I/Class 1 recall later in February, warns exposure to the bacteria could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Frozen Blueberries Recalled by Oregon Potato Company

The recall centers on Oregon Potato Company, a family-owned business in Salem that specializes in frozen and dehydrated potatoes, vegetables and fruits. The company flagged 55, 689 pounds of individually quick-frozen blueberries; regulators have also described the total as roughly 55, 000 pounds. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration issued the notice after the company initiated the recall email, and the action remains ongoing.

Timing and recall classification: Feb. 12 notice, Feb. 24 upgrade

The initial notice was made on Feb. 12. Regulators later upgraded the event to a Class 1 recall, with the FDA classifying it as a Class I recall on Feb. 24. The FDA defines a Class I recall as "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. "

Where the product moved: four states and Canada, supply-chain distribution

The affected product was distributed across Michigan, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin, and was also shipped throughout Canada. The blueberries were not sold directly to consumers in retail stores; instead, they moved between businesses within the supply chain. Because the recalled blueberries were not sold directly to consumers, you may not know if you have consumed any of the affected product.

Packaging, lot codes and best-by dates tied to the recall

The recall covers multiple packaging formats and specific lot codes. Affected 30-pound cases bear expiration dates from July 23, 2027, to July 24, 2027, and lot codes 2055 B2, 2065 B1 and 2065 B3; these cases are packaged in polyethylene bags within corrugated cases, described as a specialized dual-layered design. Regulators also identified 1, 400-pound totes with lot codes 3305 A1 and 3305 B1, both expiring on Nov. 25, 2027; those are packaged in polyethylene liners within Gaylord totes, which are heavy-duty, industrial-grade plastic bags placed in large bulk-shipping containers. The recalled blueberries bear the name Willamette Valley Fruit Company on the product labeling referenced in the enforcement notice.

Health risks, symptoms, high-risk groups and recommended precautions

Public health officials have warned about Listeria risks tied to this recall. L. monocytogenes is generally transmitted where food is harvested and processed in manufacturing or production environments. The context materials describe Listeria monocytogenesis as a disease-causing bacteria that can produce foodborne illness; initial symptoms can include fever, diarrhea and vomiting. Less severe cases have been described with fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea lasting one to three days, while more serious infections may lead to headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.

Certain groups face higher risk of severe listeriosis: young children, adults over the age of 65, people with weakened or compromised immune systems, and pregnant people. Pregnant people might not experience symptoms but the infection can still be passed on to the fetus during pregnancy or childbirth, a medical institution cited in the context notes. Symptoms can begin anywhere between a few days to two weeks after eating contaminated food. Physicians may use a blood test, test placenta tissue in pregnant patients or use imaging to detect the bacteria; listeriosis is not contagious from person to person.

To reduce the risk of foodborne illness tied to the recalled product, regulators and public-health guidance recommend wiping up spills, washing hands, cleaning refrigerators, sanitizing surfaces and contacting the local health department if concerned about possible outbreaks.