Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Listeria,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on March 11, 2026
The Oregon Potato Company initiated a voluntary recall for select lots of frozen blueberries in mid February due to the potential presence of the health risk, Listeria monocytogenes. This recall was made on behalf of their Salem, Oregon-based company, Willamette Valley Fruit Company, who processed these frozen fruits.
No press statement was issued on the usual channels. This is because the recalled frozen blueberries were not sold directly to the public. These frozen blueberries were distributed to food service establishments.
Here’s what we know so far about the recent frozen blueberry recall and what to do if you begin experiencing symptoms.
On February 12, 2026, 55,689 pounds of frozen blueberries distributed to Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Canada were quietly recalled. The 30-pound cases of blueberries have a best by date in July 23 and 24, 2027. The 1400-pound totes of blueberries have a best by date November 25, 2027.
Affected berries were not available to the public. Businesses who received recalled products would have been notified directly.
This leaves consumers vulnerable to potential illness without knowing the source.
It is unclear whether recalled product was pulled before being served or if the problem was discovered prior to potential public exposure.
Unfortunately, frozen fruit poses an additional risk.
Do you wash frozen fruit?
As a content writer for a foodborne illness law firm and a moderate germaphobe, I can honestly say I am probably more cautious than most. However, this has never crossed my mind. So, I did a little digging for my own peace of mind, and yours.
Frozen fruit, unless explicitly labeled otherwise, is generally “pre-washed.” Meaning the processor has already washed the fruit and packaged it aseptically enough to consume without another wash step.
Which, to be honest again, seems a bit difficult. Though so does washing a whole watermelon. But that leaves no room for argument.
Always wash you whole watermelons.
Back to frozen fruit…
Unless the fruit is cooked, there is no step at the restaurant or home kitchen to remove germs like Listeria that can make people sick.
You may be thinking that since it is frozen, the germs must be dead. Unfortunately, some germs survive in cold temperatures. Even frozen ones.
Namely, Listeria monocytogenes. Which happens to be the germ involved in this recall.
Listeria monocytogenes is the bacteria responsible for listeriosis. This serious infection is often associated with contaminated food.
The CDC estimates that around 1,600 people become sick with listeriosis each year. About 260 of those die from the illness.
While anyone can become infected with Listeria, in many cases normally healthy people do not become seriously ill. There are certain groups, however, that are more at risk of becoming sick or experiencing more severe illness.
High-risk groups include:
Listeria bacteria pose additional concern due to their complicated range of symptoms. It affects people who are pregnant differently than those who are not. Each with their own significant complications.
Since Listeria infections generally cause intestinal illness, let’s start there.
One of the most common symptom profiles of Listeria illness involves intestinal illness. Intestinal illness occurs when the bacteria affect the digestive system.
Common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea beginning within 24 hours of consuming something contaminated with Listeria bacteria. These symptoms are often resolved within three days.
Most people with intestinal Listeria illness do not require medical intervention or antibiotic treatment. Plenty of rest, fluids, and treating the symptoms is your best bet.
Intestinal Listeria illness can evolve to a more invasive illness. This is where things diverge in pregnant and non-pregnant people.
Listeria bacteria cause invasive illness when they leave the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. Invasive listeriosis affects pregnant people and non-pregnant people in different ways. For both categories, invasive illness symptoms usually begin about two weeks after exposure.
While personal symptoms of invasive listeriosis are milder in pregnant people, the impact on the pregnancy poses potentially serious consequences. Someone who is pregnant and experiencing invasive listeriosis may have fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Those who are not pregnant have a higher risk of serious illness or death. Invasive listeriosis in non-pregnant people often includes headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some may also experience fever and/or muscle aches. This infection can be serious or even life-threatening. 1 in 20 nonpregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
If you have consumed berries at a restaurant or other food establishment and experienced illness consistent with listeriosis or become sick with a Listeria infection, you may have been impacted by this frozen blueberry contamination.
There are a few things you can do to help your situation.
If you have become sick from eating blueberries, get medical help right away. Even mild illnesses can escalate to dangerous or life-threatening infections. In addition to getting the help you need, reporting your illness can help others.
Unreported illnesses are not included in outbreak statistics. If you illness is part of a larger outbreak, your information and food diary can help narrow or expand the scope of a recall. An action that can help reduce the risk of spreading the outbreak to others. Others who may be more vulnerable to life-threatening complications.
As soon as you feel well enough, make a list of the foods you have eaten. Include as much detail as possible. The specific brands. Where did you get it? Where did you eat it? Was it at home, take home, or did you dine out? Are there others who may have consumed the same food? This information is important to outbreak investigators and can help them find other potential food sources responsible for the outbreak.
Medical bills, lost work, and other burdens associated with foodborne illnesses like Listeria add up. Who is responsible for those bills? What can you do? What are your rights?
All of these questions can be answered by an experienced Listeria Lawyer. Reach out to a Listeria Lawyer for advice as soon as possible.
If you have fallen sick with a Listeria infection, you may be eligible for legal compensation.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped many families with cases just like yours help hold accountable those responsible for foodborne illnesses. When a company becomes negligent, people become sick.
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)