Blueberries urgently recalled at most severe risk level

Almost 60,000 pounds of frozen blueberries distributed across four American states and Canada are being recalled due to potential Listeria contamination.

Oregon Potato Company LLC, which operates as Willamette Valley Fruit Company in Salem, Oregon, issued the voluntary recall notice on 12 February. The FDA classified it as a Class I recall 12 days later (24 February).

It’s understood that frozen fruits were packaged in 30-pound corrugated cases with polyethene liners and in 1,400-pound bags.

US states impacted by the Class I recall include: Michigan, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as in Canada.

According to the FDA’s report, the potentially contaminated blueberries were not sold directly to consumers in retail stores.

The recall notice has been issued due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a hardy, foodborne bacterium that can be extremely serious for some groups, including pregnant women and older people.

Frozen blueberries have been recalled across the United States and Canada (Getty Stock Image)

It’s understood that eating food containing the bacteria can result in intestinal illness that usually starts within 24 hours.

Symptoms of infection include, but are not limited to

• diarrhoea
• aches and pains
• high temperatures
• chills
• feeling nauseous or being sick

In some cases, ingesting food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can progress into a case of potentially deadly invasive illness, as per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Symptoms of further infection include fever, headaches, loss of balance, and seizures.

Worringly, CDC data shows that nearly one in six cases of invasive listeriosis results in death. These statistics are not associated with pregnancy.

Blueberry products included in the Class I recall include codes:

• 30-pound bags: 2055 B2, 2065 B1, 2065 B3 with expiration dates ranging from 23 to 24 July 2027.
• 1,400-pound totes: 3305 A1, 3305 B1 with expiration dates 25 November 2027

If you work in the food industry and find a bag of these fruits in your freezer, then it’s advised that you contact the company you bought them from for a refund and dispose of them immediately.

This is because the Class I recall is consdered 'potentially life threatening or present a serious risk to health'.

It's advised you get rid of the frozen fruit and contact the company where you purchased it (Getty Stock Image)

The potential Listeria-contaminated blueberry recall comes amid a withdrawal of Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon.

2lbs bags sold at various BJ’s Wholesale Clubs in the United States are also said to be potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The FDA say that the presence of the bacteria was found in the salmon after it ‘randomly collected’ a sample.

At the time of the recall, Slade Gorton & Co, Inc, said it was ‘investigating how the contamination occurred and taking steps to keep it from happening again’.

BJ’s Wholesale Club said it was directly notifying its members who may have purchased the recalled product from 31 January through to 7 February.

If you believe you purchased the recalled product, you can obtain a full refund and gain advice on what to do with the perishable item by calling 1-888-628-0730 at any time.