The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a critical warning concerning an ongoing E. coli outbreak linked to frozen berries, which has resulted in at least four hospitalizations. The agency urges consumers and retailers to avoid eating, selling, or serving specific recalled products identified as sources of contamination.
This health alert primarily concerns GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries, products traced back to a multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli infections. Initial concerns were raised earlier in July when a Chilean company, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., voluntarily recalled a batch of frozen blueberries due to potential bacterial contamination.
Contaminated blueberries: check packaging
On July 3, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., based in San Carlos, Chile, recalled the GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries 10 oz (lot code 60401, best by date February 9, 2028) after suspicions arose that the product might be contaminated with Escherichia coli. The recall subsequently expanded later in the month when Publix retail stores across eight states announced the withdrawal of all lots of GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries.
The recalled items include:
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10-ounce, UPC 41415-06453
- GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48-ounce, UPC 41415-12053
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10-ounce, UPC 41415-06753
- GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48-ounce, UPC 41415-12153
The Publix stores involved in the recall are located across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The FDA reports that a total of 12 people are believed to have suffered food poisoning symptoms linked to consumption of these frozen berries, with at least four requiring hospitalization.
Consumers are advised to carefully inspect packaging for the specified lot codes and UPCs and to discard any affected products immediately to prevent further illness. Retailers are similarly cautioned against distributing any recalled batches.