55,000 Pounds of Blueberries RECALLED

Recall notice over grocery store shelves. — URGENT RECALL ALERT

FDA warns of life-threatening Listeria in over 55,000 pounds of frozen blueberries, urging foodservice operators to destroy stock immediately amid a Class I recall escalation.

Story Snapshot

FDA upgrades recall of 55,689 pounds of frozen blueberries to Class I, highest risk level signaling potential for serious illness or death.
Product distributed to foodservice in Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Canada—not retail shelves.
No illnesses reported yet, but Listeria poses deadly threat to pregnant women, seniors, infants, and immunocompromised Americans.
Willamette Valley Fruit Company voluntarily recalled lots on February 12; FDA classified February 24.
Part of growing pattern of Listeria scares in frozen foods, demanding stricter industry safeguards.

Recall Details and Timeline

Oregon Potato Company, operating as Willamette Valley Fruit Company in Salem, Oregon, initiated a voluntary recall on February 12, 2026, for 55,689 pounds of individually quick-frozen blueberries.

The FDA elevated it to Class I status on February 24, 2026, its most severe classification. This means reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death from Listeria monocytogenes exposure. Enforcement reports released February 26 confirm the action targets bulk packs sent to commercial users only.

Life-threatening Listeria risk prompts massive frozen blueberry recall across multiple states https://t.co/viy7WAjtLx

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) February 26, 2026

Affected Products and Distribution

Affected items include 30-pound cases with lot codes 2055 B2, 2065 B1, 2065 B3, expiring July 23-24, 2027, and 1,400-pound totes with lot codes 3305 A1, 3305 B1, expiring November 25, 2027.

Distribution reached foodservice operators and manufacturers in Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Canada. No direct retail sales occurred, limiting consumer access but raising concerns over prepared foods at restaurants and institutions.

Health Risks and Vulnerable Groups

Listeria monocytogenes survives in refrigerated environments, thriving in frozen produce like these blueberries. It causes listeriosis with symptoms of fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. High-risk groups—older adults, pregnant women facing miscarriage or stillbirth risks, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems—face fatal outcomes.

CDC notes it leads to serious infections in these populations. No illnesses reported as of February 26, but vigilance remains essential.

Foodservice must discard recalled stock and sanitize chillers, storage, and contact surfaces thoroughly, as Listeria spreads easily in cold conditions. This protects families dining out or relying on institutional meals from unseen dangers in the supply chain.

Broader Pattern and Industry Response

This recall follows FDA Class I actions on organic blueberries in July 2025 and ready-to-eat chicken in January 2026, signaling persistent Listeria threats in frozen and ready-to-eat chains.

Heightened scrutiny demands better testing and sanitation from producers. Willamette Valley has not commented publicly on contamination source or fixes. FDA probes likely ahead, pushing manufacturers toward robust protocols to safeguard American families and workers.

Under President Trump’s administration prioritizing secure food supplies and economic stability, such incidents highlight needs for deregulation of overreaching bureaucracy while enforcing core safety standards. Families deserve reliable protections without government overreach stifling business.