Oregon Company Recalls 56,000 Pounds of Frozen Blueberries Over Deadly Listeria Risk

FDA Issues Most Serious Warning Level

An Oregon-based fruit company has triggered one of the most serious food safety alerts of the year after Oregon Potato Company voluntarily recalled 55,689 pounds of frozen blueberries on February 12 over potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes . What began as a routine recall escalated dramatically this week when the FDA designated it as a Class I recall on February 24, the highest classification, which indicates that "use of or exposure to" the affected product can cause "serious adverse health consequences or death" .

The affected blueberries were produced by Oregon Potato Company, LLC, but packed under the brand Willamette Valley Fruit Company . These weren't your typical grocery store berries – the product was not sold to consumers from retail stores, according to the FDA, but supplied in bulk formats to foodservice operators and manufacturers . The recall covers both 30-pound corrugated cases and 1,400‑pound industrial-sized containers distributed across Michigan, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as throughout Canada .

According to Bruce Cakebread with the Oregon Potato Company, as of Thursday morning, all of the affected blueberries have been accounted for and the company is working with customers and the FDA on next steps . Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported to date .

Understanding the Listeria Threat

Listeria monocytogenes represents one of the most dangerous foodborne pathogens, capable of surviving and thriving in conditions that kill other bacteria. The bacterium is often found in soil, water, or food‑processing environments and can survive and grow under refrigeration , making it particularly challenging for food safety professionals to eliminate.

The infection it causes, listeriosis, manifests in two distinct forms. The less-severe version causes mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea . However, the more-severe version is life-threatening, and symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions .

The stakes are particularly high for vulnerable populations. Consuming food items contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious illness that can be life‑threatening, especially for pregnant people, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems . The statistics are sobering: nearly one in six cases of invasive listeriosis not associated with pregnancy results in death, and in the United States, listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness, responsible for about 172 deaths annually .

Limited Consumer Impact

Despite the alarming nature of this recall, most consumers can breathe easier knowing their home freezers are likely safe. The risk to the average consumer remains low, as these blueberries were not available for sale at retail outlets, so the odds of finding them in a typical home freezer are slim . Instead, the recall primarily impacts businesses that process or handle bulk frozen fruit .

For food industry professionals who might have received the affected products, identification is crucial. Impacted case lot codes are 2055 B2, 2065 B1 and 2065 B3, with expiry dates of July 23 and 24, 2027, while tote lot codes are 3305 A1 and 3305 B1, with an expiry date of November 25, 2027 .

Broader Food Safety Implications

This recall reflects a troubling pattern in the frozen food industry. The action comes amid continued regulatory focus on listeria in frozen and ready-to-eat supply chains, with the FDA escalating a recall of organic blueberries from another company last July and US authorities recalling more than 13,000 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken over the same pathogen last month .

The rapid escalation from voluntary recall to Class I status demonstrates how seriously federal regulators are taking listeria contamination risks. As food supply chains become increasingly complex and global, these incidents serve as critical reminders that even seemingly innocuous products like frozen fruit can pose significant health risks when proper safety protocols fail. The industry's challenge lies in maintaining rigorous testing and monitoring systems that can detect and eliminate these dangerous pathogens before they reach consumers or the businesses that serve them.