FDA Update Puts Recalled Frozen Berries in Food-Service Inventories

A September 11 FDA update clarified that a recalled lot of Great Value frozen berries was shipped to select Walmart stores in 26 states and Puerto Rico, adding to existing GreenWise recalls distributed through Publix. Restaurants, retailers and other food-service buyers should check freezers, receiving records and prepared-food inventories immediately.

The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O145:H28 linked to frozen berry products from Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. The latest FDA update lists 17 illnesses, six hospitalizations and no deaths. Confirmed cases are in Florida and Georgia, but the recalled products were distributed more broadly.

Products businesses should identify

The Great Value recall covers a specific product, not every Great Value berry item: Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend in a 10-ounce package, UPC 7874211226, lot code 6040 01-6 and best-by date February 9, 2028. The FDA’s outbreak page says the lot was shipped to select Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as Puerto Rico.

The September 11 clarification added seven states to the confirmed distribution information on the outbreak page. The FDA says the product could have traveled beyond the confirmed distribution area. The recall notice says no illnesses had been associated with that specific Great Value product as of the notice and describes the action as precautionary following traceback information.

The GreenWise recalls include:

GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10 ounces, UPC 41415-06453, all lots;
GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48 ounces, UPC 41415-12053, all lots;
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10 ounces, UPC 41415-06753, all lots; and
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48 ounces, UPC 41415-12153, all lots.

Those products were distributed through Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. A separate recall covers GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries in 10-ounce packages with lot code 60401, also printed as 6 040 01, and best-by date February 9, 2028.

What restaurants and food-service operators should do

The FDA and CDC say businesses should not sell or serve any recalled frozen berries. Operators should isolate affected product, follow supplier or retailer instructions for return or disposal, and remove any recalled berries that were repackaged for individual sale.

Businesses should review wholesale receipts, receiving logs, freezer labels and prepared-food records. Smoothies, sauces, desserts, toppings and other foods made with recalled berries should be identified and removed from service when the recalled product was used.

Clean and sanitize blenders, cutting boards, utensils, containers, prep tables, freezers and other equipment or surfaces that contacted the berries. If berries were frozen without their original packaging and the lot cannot be confirmed, discard them.

What is known about the illnesses

The FDA’s September 3 outbreak update said illnesses began between May 11 and August 2, 2026, based on the information available at that time. The FDA’s current case table lists August 6, 2026, as the last illness onset. The outbreak includes 17 illnesses, six hospitalizations and no deaths; cases have been reported in Florida and Georgia.

The FDA and CDC say the investigation remains ongoing. Additional products or distribution information could be added, and the confirmed distribution area may not capture every location reached by the recalled berries.

Operator checklist

Check freezers, wholesale receipts, receiving logs and inventory records for the specific products, lot codes, dates and UPCs.
Do not sell, serve, donate or repackage recalled berries.
Remove prepared foods made with recalled berries from service.
Clean and sanitize equipment, containers and surfaces that contacted the berries.
Discard unidentified berries that were stored without original packaging.

People who ate recalled berries and develop severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting or fever should contact a health-care provider. CDC advises prompt medical attention for bloody diarrhea, diarrhea lasting more than three days, a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, severe vomiting or signs of dehydration.

Sources

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