Frozen blueberries recalled over Listeria concern didn’t reach customers in Canada: CFIA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has posted a recall notice over Listeria concerns for frozen blueberries that it says were distributed in several U.S. states.

Oregon Potato Company of Salem, Oregon, is recalling 25,260 kilograms of “Individually Quick Frozen” (IQF) blueberries due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, the FDA said. 

Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can cause listeriosis, a rare but serious illness with symptoms that may start suddenly and include vomiting, nausea, cramps, severe headache, constipation or fever. 

These blueberries were not sold directly to consumers from retail stores but were distributed in Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin. The FDA did not specify where the blueberries were sold.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) told CBC News on Friday it is aware of the U.S. recall notice and no recall has been issued in this country.

The FDA said the products were distributed in Canada. However, CFIA says its investigators confirmed all affected imported product identified in the U.S. recall was secured at the importer’s warehouse before distribution occurred.

“The affected imported product did not reach retailers or consumers, and there is no risk to consumers in Canada,” a spokesperson for CFIA said.

Affected blueberries are packaged in a polyethylene bag within a corrugated case or packaged in a polyethylene liner within a tote, the FDA said. 

The recall was first posted on Feb. 12 on the FDA’s website and was classified as a “Class I” recall on Feb. 24. Such a recall refers to when “there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

In some cases, particularly in newborns and older adults, listeriosis can lead to dangerous brain inflammation, blood infections, or death.