Frozen Blueberry E. coli Outbreak Reaches 12 Cases in Two States

Publix has recalled all lots of four GreenWise frozen-berry products as the FDA and CDC investigate an E. coli O145:H28 outbreak involving 12 people in Florida and Georgia.

Four people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. The latest reported illness began June 5, 2026. The investigation remains ongoing, and federal agencies have not said that every product supplied by the Chilean company linked to the recall is contaminated.

What changed in the recall

Publix announced the expanded recall on July 29. It covers all lots of:

GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 10-ounce packages — UPC 41415-06453
GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries, 48-ounce packages — UPC 41415-12053
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 10-ounce packages — UPC 41415-06753
GreenWise Organic Whole Mixed Berries, 48-ounce packages — UPC 41415-12153

The earlier July 3 recall involved a single 10-ounce blueberry lot, code 60401, also printed as 6 040 01, with a February 9, 2028, best-by date. The later Publix action broadened the recall to all lots of the four listed products.

Consumers should not eat, sell or serve any of the recalled berries. They should throw them away or return them to Publix for a full refund. Consumers should not taste the product to determine whether it is safe.

Where the products were sold

The recalled berries were shipped to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. FDA says the products may have reached additional states, so consumers should check by brand, product and package size rather than relying only on where they bought them.

The reported illnesses are currently limited to Florida and Georgia. FDA and CDC identify the outbreak strain as E. coli O145:H28 and are continuing to investigate the product link and whether additional products could be affected.

What FDA is doing

FDA conducted a remote regulatory assessment of Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., the supplier identified in the investigation. The company is based in San Carlos, Chile.

FDA also added products from the supplier to Import Alert 99-35. Frozen blueberries from the firm offered for entry into the United States may be detained without physical examination while the investigation continues. The alert does not mean that every product from the supplier has been confirmed as contaminated, including products that have not entered the U.S. market.

FDA and state partners are working to determine the source of contamination. The agency says additional products may be added to the advisory as the investigation develops.

What consumers and businesses should do

Check freezers for the four GreenWise products in the listed package sizes, regardless of lot number. If the berries were removed from their original packaging and cannot be identified, FDA advises consumers to discard them.

After handling or discarding the berries, wash and sanitize surfaces, containers and utensils that may have touched them. Businesses, retailers and food-service operators should not sell or serve the recalled products and should remove them from use.

Symptoms and when to seek care

According to the CDC and FDA, E. coli infection can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea may be bloody. Some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious kidney complication.

Contact a health care provider for bloody diarrhea, diarrhea lasting more than three days or worsening diarrhea, a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, vomiting that prevents drinking liquids, or signs of dehydration such as reduced urination, dry mouth or dizziness when standing. Anyone who ate the recalled berries and develops symptoms should tell a health care provider about the possible exposure.

Sources

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